Coup attempt in Turkey
Last
night, a coup attempt took place in Turkey. Police and military
forces clashed, as a group within Turkish army tried to seize the
power and AKP supporters hit the streets and involved in the violent
clashes. The attempted coup and clashes left 161 dead and 1440
injured. Also, bombs hit parliament building in Ankara last
night, before the attempt failed.
President Erdoğan: “an act of treason"
Last night, while the clashes was still going on, President Erdoğan spoke to a CNN Turk reporter via a cellphone video link. He urged people to take to the streets to protest against the coup attempt. He also added that the attempt will meet a necessary response. Hours later, Erdoğan's plane landed in İstanbul Atatürk Airport and he made a statement to the press. He accused the “Gulenists” within the army and said that this attempt is an act of treason and “a gift from God”, since it will help them to “clean up” the military.
Prime Minister Yıldırım: “the ones who constitute the backbone of the attempted coup are detained”
After it was declared that the attempted coup has failed, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım held a press conference with the head of Turkey's armed forces Hulusi Akar, Minister of Interior Efkan Ala, Minister of Defence Fikri Işık and Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdağ.
According to Yıldırım, 161 people were killed and 1440 people injured in the clashes and 2839 army members detained including ordinary soldiers and high-ranking officers. He also added that the army members who constitute the backbone of the attempted coup are detained.
2745 judges laid off
2nd Chamber of Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors of Turkey (HSYK) declared that 2745 judges are laid off after the attempted coup. It is also reported 5 members of HSYK are dismissed.
According to Anadolu Agency, some members of the Council of State are detained.
