“There was a horrific, violent coup attempt, and swift action was needed, but with the risk of military rule averted, unfortunately the Turkish government appears to have reacted in a manner that is reminiscent of previous military rule in Turkey”, Amnesty’s Gardner said.
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Turkish state media said a further 32 judges and two military officers had been detained by authorities during the crackdown since last week’s coup, bringing the total number of people arrested up to 10,000.
Speaking through an interpreter in an interview with Al-Jazeera, Erdogan also said that there might still be plots against his government.
In an apparent attempt to calm fears that the military’s powers will be increased, the president said the military will be under the government-appointed governors’ command and work closely with the regional governors.
Since the coup, officials have rounded up more than 50,000 state employees who have been sacked or suspended, while academics have been banned from travelling overseas and teachers and university heads have been forced to resign.
But he said the application of the state of emergency would be “strictly” in the area of national security and would not affect financial or commercial activities.
Turkish authorities have alleged that planes involved in the coup attempt were refueled by Turkish planes housed at the base.
Erdogan was already on a path toward increasing his powers before the coup, in which about 270 people were killed.
“We will remain within a democratic parliamentary system, we will never step away from it”, he said. Gulen, who has many followers in Turkey and overseas, denies the charge.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus also said his country will suspend the European Human Rights Convention, in line with an article contained within the agreement allowing for it during emergencies, as it prepares to implement the country’s new state of emergency after the failed coup.
Kerry said the Turks’ request for an extradition, with whatever evidence they have against Gulen, was believed to be on its way from Ankara.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini [official website] has also weighed in on the Erdogan’s announcement, saying that “no country can become an European Union member state if it introduces the death penalty”.
President Erdogan was returning to Istanbul from a holiday near the coastal resort of Marmaris when a faction in the military launched the coup on Friday.
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German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned on Thursday, however, that the state of emergency should only last as long as it’s “absolutely necessary”.
