Turkey’s National Security Council – the highest advisory body on security issues – was holding an extraordinary meeting followed by a previously unscheduled cabinet meeting on Wednesday, after which Erdogan said an “important decision” would be announced.
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July 15 attempted coup saw rogue elements of the military attack parliament, the presidential palace and other state institutions and led to the deaths of hundreds of people.
The president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup and was chairing a meeting at his presidential palace of his national security council, composed of top military brass and security ministers.
Turkish special forces policemen carry the coffin an officer who was killed last Friday during the failed military coup, during his funeral procession in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
The state of emergency announcement needs to be published in a state gazette and lawmakers have to approve it for it to take effect, according to analysts.
These are “necessary precautions vis a vis the threat of terror, democracy, rule of law”.
Steinmeier said action should only be taken against those with “a provable involvement in punishable actions” and not “an alleged political attitude”. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the military, courts and other institutions being purged. It has been announced that more than 600 private schools and dormitories are to be closed in an attempt to root out those who support Mr Gulen.
“The United States government is focused on what we can do together between two countries to help Turkey pursue this investigation”, he stressed.
About 9300 people have been detained, including 118 generals and admirals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.
The Turkish government confirmed that 6,500 employees at Turkey’s education ministry had been suspended.
“While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression”, said Amnesty’s Turkey researcher Andrew Gardner.
Turkey wants the U.S.to extradite Fethullah Gulen – the moderate Islamic cleric it blames for the coup.
Erdogan requested in a call Tuesday with President Barack Obama that the US return Gulen, now living in Pennsylvania, to Turkey.
Academics were banned from travelling overseas on Wednesday in what a Turkish official said was a temporary measure to prevent the risk of alleged coup plotters in universities from fleeing.
“The armed forces … will act in unison with the government”, Erdogan said, hinting that civil control of the military – long a subject of debate in Turkey – could be expanded.
The failed coup in Turkey that transpired last weekend was bound to result in a crackdown of opposition figures, as over 50,000 people have been arrested, suspended, or fired from their jobs.
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Kerry said Wednesday that he made clear in several phone calls with Turkey’s foreign minister in recent days that mere allegations of wrongdoing against Fethullah Gulen would not meet USA extradition requirements. In an interview with Germany’s Huffington Post, he accused Erdogan’s government of using the coup to lash out at enemies and warned of a witch hunt against critical reporters.
