“As we have been the first ones to say that in that tragic night [of the coup attempt], the democratic and legislative institutions needed to be protected”.
Advertisement
Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people – including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel – for alleged involvement in the coup attempt.
Sir Alan said the United Kingdom “stands ready” to assist Turkey with its reforms and help the democratically-elected government “restore order in a way that reflects and supports the rule of law”. Another 1,491 were injured, he said.
He also raised the possibility that the plotters were motivated by a perception that Erdogan would soon purge the military of supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a USA -based Turkish cleric with whom Erdogan was allied until the country’s 2013 government corruption scandal.
When the fight against Gulen movement started thousands of police were moved sideways into roles where they would not harm the government.
Obviously Mr Erdogan has little room for taking risks.
Thousands of suspected coup supporters have been detained, including 100 generals and admirals.
The air force academy in Istanbul was raided on Monday morning.
He was accused of trying to create a “parallel state” within the courts, police, armed forces and media.
Many provincial governors and judges have also been relieved of their duties.
Referring to Gulen, Kerry called on Turkey to furnish evidence “that withstands scrutiny”, rather than allegations. Proceedings were adjourned until Thursday.
Giving a new toll, he said 208 people were killed by the coup bid, including 145 civilians, 60 police and three soldiers.
Events in Turkey – a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member and key European Union ally – were high on the agenda at the Brussels meeting. He said he expected European Union foreign ministers to address their concerns about the revival of the death penalty and disproportionate punishment in a joint statement about the situation after a meeting in Brussels later on Monday. The ministers will also be meeting for breakfast with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
“As a democracy, we can’t support a military coup against democracy”, King said, adding: “We have to pressure Erdogan to take a firmer position against ISIS”.
He said it appeared the Turkish government had pre-prepared lists of people to arrest before the coup attempt.
Though government officials offered reassurances that life has returned to normal, warplanes patrolled Turkey’s skies overnight in a sign that authorities feared that the threat was not yet over.
Addressing hundreds of supporters outside his Istanbul residence early Tuesday, Erdogan responded to calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty with the simple statement: “You can not put aside the people’s demands”. Nobody has been executed in the country since 1984.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said Monday that Turkey reinstating the death penalty would mean the end of negotiations for the country to join the EU.
Advertisement
Are you in Turkey? In recent times, many countries faced coup attempts and some were successful too.
