| Author (Person) | Dallison, Paul |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Politico |
| Series Details | 15-16.07.16 |
| Publication Date | 15/07/2016 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog, News |
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A section of the armed forces in Turkey attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a military coup on the 15 July 2016. However, it failed and by the morning of the 16 July 2016 it was reported that some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers had been arrested, while others had surrendered. Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that 161 people had been killed and 1,440 wounded. Explosions and gunfire had been heard in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed a 'parallel structure', for the coup attempt, which usually meant a reference to supporters of the reclusive US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. World leaders condemned the attempted coup. In a Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini, and EU Commisioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement negotiations, Johannes Hahn the EU said 'We condemn the attempted coup in Turkey and reiterate our full support to the democratic institutions of the country'. In a statement NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called 'for calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey's democratic institutions and its constitution. Turkey is a valued NATO Ally'. 17 July 2016 Update: Reports suggested that the attempted coup had left 265 dead and approximately 1,440 injured. In addition to the military officials listed above, two Constitutional Court judges, ten members of Turkey's top judicial council and almost 2,750 judges had been fired for their alleged links to the coup leaders. 18 July 2016 update: While world leaders criticised the coup and gave their support for the government of President Erdogan there were also calls for him to show restraint in reaction to signs that he was exploiting the situation to further his assumption of greater presidential power and a move to authoritarianism and Islamisation in the country. Leaders of Western countries were said to be concerned over three issues: + the future reliability of the Turkish military Mr Erdogan talked of the need for a discussion within the country to bring back the death penalty for crimes of treason. Turkey had abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of preparing for EU-Turkey accession negotiations. In Conclusions adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on the 18 July 2016 EU Foreign Ministers highlighted that abolition of the death penalty was a condition of future EU membership for Turkey. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.politico.eu/article/turkish-military-in-attempted-coup-says-pm/ |
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| Countries / Regions | Turkey |
