Erdogan, who had been accused of autocratic conduct even before this week’s tough crackdown, said the state of emergency would counter threats to Turkish democracy. The move comes amid sweeping purges that have left over 50,000 people dismissed or arrested.
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Erdogan also announced he will request the extradition of cleric Fethullah Gulen [advocacy website], whom Erdogan alleges orchestrated the coup attempt, from the United States.
Gulen, the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement – which promotes moderate Islam across dozens of countries and is dubbed a terrorist group by Erdogan – firmly denies Ankara’s charge he was behind the coup bid.
Anadolu reported that 257 people working at the office of the prime minister have been dismissed and their identification seized because of suspicions of possible involvement in the coup attempt.
White House Press Spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday that “the suggestion that somehow the United States is harboring Mr. Gulen is factually incorrect”. While the purges may be created to derail any future insurrections, there are increasing concerns that Erdogan is seizing the moment to transform Turkey, steering it from its secular roots toward a more pious Muslim model and cementing personal power at the expense of democratic ideals.
But this would rule out any chance Turkey has of joining the European Union and could see it thrown out of the Council of Europe.
– Who’s targeted in wake of coup? He said the July 15 victory over the plotters was “epic” and that no coup in the history of Turkey had been as brutal as the one that the elected government survived. Other footage, obtained from the Turkish Dogan news agency, showed a mob attacking surrendering soldiers on the bridge after daybreak.
He called the putsch attempt “treason, a betrayal of the Turkish nation”.
Up to 300 people were killed in the coup attempt.
Separately, state news agency Anadolu said 399 employees of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies had been stripped of their responsibilities.
On Thursday, Turkish state media said a further 32 judges and two military officers have been detained by authorities during the crackdown since last week’s coup.
“It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup”, the cleric said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Erdogan of going to “any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics”.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek defended the move, saying he hoped the state of emergency would be short-lived.
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While he recognized the need to apprehend the coup plotters, Kerry said: We caution against a reach that goes beyond that..
