The minister said that if Gulen leaves the USA, it would be with the full knowledge of us authorities. “Those we considered friends are siding with coup-plotters and terrorists”.
Advertisement
Hours before the demonstration, Germany’s constitutional court rejected an application to show via video link live speeches from Turkey by politicians including Erdogan, over fears they could work up the crowd. However, he said, courts quickly decided against him speaking at the rally.
A supporter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan waves a Turkish flag during a pro-government protest in Cologne, Germany July 31, 2016.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressed in an interview with the daily Rheinische Post that Turkey must fulfill the EU’s conditions before the bloc will lift visa requirements for Turkish citizens. “This is a clear double standard”.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced plans to shut down two military high courts – the administrative and appeals courts – and said military courts, which deal with disciplinary issues, would be placed under the Defense Ministry’s supervision.
“The decision not to allow the broadcast was absolutely OK and also lawful”, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Monday.
Russians stayed away following Turkey’s shooting down of a one of the country’s warplanes last November, but it is hoped that its tourists will return now that Ankara and Moscow have mended ties.
Erdogan had stronger words Tuesday as the two countries’ relationships frayed further.
Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Berlin following that resolution.
Apart from apprehending those who directly participated in the putsch, the government has sought to crack down on those suspected of being members of Gulen’s movement and has been bringing the military under increasing civilian control.
Kurtulmus said the changes would prevent military powers being accumulated “under a single hand”.
The blockade of NATO’s crucial military base by Turkish forces, which have until recently been a key United States ally, is another example of how relations with the USA had deteriorated. The Chinese government has stated that Turkish embassies in Malaysia, Thailand and China are involved in such activities.
The government has revised down the death toll from the attempted coup to 271. “They [investors] are not coming after the images revealed tanks were deployed on the streets, parliament was bombed”, he added.
More than 10,000 people, mostly military personnel, have been arrested in a crackdown that followed the coup.
Some 3,000 officers suspected of involvement in the coup or of links to Gulen’s movement have been discharged from the armed forces since the attempt. “Sorry, but everything has a price”. Police initially spoke of 20,000 protesters who rallied under the banner, ?Yes to democracy, no to a coup, ? but revised their figures upwards. The coup occurred on July 15, a Friday, but Turkish financial markets were reopened that weekend.
The state-media reports that they are believed to be part of a group that raided the president’s hotel in an attempt to kidnap him.
Kiper reported from Istanbul.
Advertisement
Becatoros contributed from Istanbul.
