Some of Erdogan’s critics claim he is using the failed coup to indiscriminately crackdown on dissent.
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At least 270 people were killed during the coup attempt, including 179 civilians, 62 police and five loyalist soldiers.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman Global Affairs in Canada says the department is “aware of a Canadian dual-citizen detained in Turkey” and that Canadian consular officials are standing ready to assist if needed.
“Some European colleagues think this is a Pokemon game, this coup attempt”, said Omer Celik, Turkey’s minister for EU affairs.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to rule out bringing back the death penalty, telling broadcaster CNN in an interview via a government translator, “There is a clear crime of treason”. Under the three-month state of emergency approved July 21, the decrees have the force of law and can’t be appealed. He encouraged it to “pursue the investigation into the coup in a way that reinforces public confidence in democratic institutions and promotes economic stability”.
“Any reports that we had any previous knowledge of a coup attempt, that there was any United States involvement in it, that we were anything other than entirely supportive of Turkish democracy are completely false, unequivocally false”, Obama said.
The Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, General Hulusi Akar, described the renegade soldiers as “the vile, uniformed traitors (who) damaged our country, people and our armed forces in a major way”. Instead, he accuses Turkish President Erdogan of staging the coup as an act of theater in order to garner more control over the people of Turkey. Turkey has demanded his extradition from the United States and said it would have a dossier ready to submit to the U.S. in ten days’ time.
The Turkish treasury and a state agency that regulates foundations have taken over more than 1,200 foundations and associations, about 1,000 private educational institutions and student dormitories, 35 health care institutions, 19 labor groups and 15 universities, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday.
Mr Erdogan’s government has rounded up or sacked thousands of perceived state enemies.
It is expected to be ratified by parliament, where Erdogan’s AKP party holds the majority.
Many of the CHP supporters gathered in Taksim Square waved flags with a picture of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.
Western countries have promised support for democracy in Turkey, but have expressed concern over the magnitude of dismissals from state institutions.
Supporters of various political parties gather in Istanbul’s Taksim Square during a rally organized by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Turkey, July 24, 2016. The government has either arrested or dismissed more than 13,000 soldiers, judges and police officers as part of its controversial crackdown following the coup.
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Prime Minister Yildirim said that there are still some coup participants who remain at large-some went to Greece and some are staying in Marmaris.
