Engraved Turkish-Made Firearms Given After Ankara Summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has drawn attention after presenting engraved revolvers and live rounds to NATO leaders as official gifts.
The gifts were reportedly given after the alliance’s summit in Ankara.
The firearm was a Gümüşay .357 Magnum revolver. It is manufactured in Turkey by state-owned defence company MKE.
Each revolver was engraved with the recipient’s name. The weapon was placed inside a wooden display case.
The case also featured the Turkish flag and NATO emblem.
Belgian PM Hands Revolver to Airport Police
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever became the focus of public attention after returning home with the firearm in his luggage.
His office later confirmed that the revolver was handed over to airport police.
The weapon was placed in secure storage after his arrival.
The incident raised questions about diplomatic gifts, customs rules and firearm security procedures in European countries.
Other NATO Countries Follow Security Protocols
Other countries also took steps to handle the gifted firearms under official procedures.
Poland said the revolver received by President Karol Nawrocki was awaiting customs clearance.
The Netherlands and Sweden transferred their firearms to their embassies in Ankara.
Dutch authorities plan to decommission the weapon before bringing it into the country.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni placed the revolver with official state gifts.
The unusual diplomatic gift has sparked wider debate over security, protocol and the symbolic message behind presenting firearms to NATO leaders.
