Turkish President Erdogan Gifts Loaded Revolver to Belgian PM at NATO Summit

During the recent NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever with a revolver that was later discovered to be loaded with live ammunition. The revelation came only after the Belgian delegation returned home and inspected the official gifts, which included the revolver as a personalized keepsake for summit leaders. The firearm was immediately handed over to airport police upon discovery. Authorities have yet to decide whether the weapon will be returned to Turkish officials, retained by Belgian authorities, or handled according to local laws.

This incident has raised security and diplomatic concerns regarding the transfer of weapons as official gifts between countries. Although not a security breach, the fact that the revolver was loaded has prompted questions about the preparation and inspection processes for such diplomatic presents. Erdogan had given each summit participant a revolver engraved with their name, presented in an elegant wooden box along with a matching ammunition case. The unusual nature of this gift drew attention from the outset.

Additionally, it emerged that UK Labour leader Keir Starmer was unable to bring his revolver into the United Kingdom due to local firearms regulations and had to leave it at the Turkish embassy. The episode highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in exchanging weaponry as diplomatic souvenirs during international events.