PHOTO: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former President Abdullah Gul at Sunday funeral’s of a victim of the coup attempt (AFP/Getty)


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UPDATE 1500 GMT: A total of 103 generals and admirals have now been detained for questioning, with 41 in prison pending trial, Anadolu Agency reports.

Those held include the commander of the Incirlik Airbase, Brig. Gen. Bekir Ercan; the commander and executive officer of the 2nd Army; a commander of the 3rd Army; and a number of air force commanders.

The former Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Akın Öztürk, has been named by Turkish authorities as the organizer of the foiled uprising.


UPDATE 1500 GMT: Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says 7,543 people have so far been detained, including 6,038 soldiers.

A “senior security official” said almost 8,000 police officers have been removed from their posts. More than 600 gendarmerie officers, 30 provincial governors, 47 district governors, and more than 50 high-ranking civil servants have been fired. Annual leave was suspended for more than 3 million civil servants, and those already on leave were ordered back to their posts.

Yildirim also repeated President Erdoğan’s demand that the US hand over cleric Fethullah Gülen, rejecting the need to provide evidence:

We would be disappointed if our friends told us to present proof even though members of the assassin organization are trying to destroy an elected government under the directions of that person.

At this stage there could even be a questioning of our friendship.

The US Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, responded diplomatically:

we have been clear that the United States would be willing to provide assistance to Turkish authorities conducting their investigation into the coup attempt. If Turkey decides to submit an extradition request for anyone legally resident in the United States, it will be considered under the terms of the U.S.-Turkey extradition agreement.

To that end, U.S. Government officials in the U.S. and in Turkey, including representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice, are prepared to work with their counterparts and to discuss what will be required to meet the legal and evidentiary standards set by our bilateral extradition treaty.

However, Bass repeated the condition that Ankara must provide evidence to support its request: “I underscore that our extradition treaty and U.S. laws have specific requirements that must be met before a suspect individual can be transferred to another nation’s jurisdiction.”

Yildirim reframed his statement on Saturday that the death penalty could be re-introduced for those involved in the coup, stepping back from immediate action but repeating President Erdoğan’s line that the Government must consider public wishes:

People are chanting for “capital punishment” on the streets. Turkey is a state of law. Our citizens’ demand is an order for us.

But it wouldn’t be right to act hastily when the matter is still hot. Our Parliament will consider the issue.

We will act in line with public’s opinion.


UPDATE 1100 GMT: US Secretary of State John Kerry has cautioned the Erdoğan Government against its crackdown on political opposition.

Speaking after a meeting on US relations with the European Union, Kerry repeated his support for the Turkish Government but said there should not be “a reach that goes well beyond” bringing the coup leaders to justice.

Kerry said NATO will be watching Turkey in coming days to ensure that it fulfills the alliance’s requirements for democracy and the rule of law. However, State Department spokesman John Kirby said, “It’s too soon to say that their membership is at risk.”


ORIGINAL ENTRY: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged a purge of State institutions, as the number of arrests passed 6,000 following last Friday’s failed coup.

Erdoğan told a crowd on Sunday in front of his Istanbul home that he would act against the supporters of US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen, a former ally whom the President accuses of creating a “parallel structure” within a “deep state” to overthrow the Government. The President has repeatedly said that Gülenists have infiltrated the judiciary, police, armed forces, and media.

When the audience chanted for the re-introduction of the death penalty, suspended in 1984 and banned in 2002, Erdoğan replied, “We cannot ignore this demand. In democracies, whatever the people say has to happen.”

See also Turkey Feature: Erdogan Hits Back Hard After Failed Coup
Turkey Analysis: Erdogan, the Military, and a Bleak Future for the People

The President said a “terror group” led by Gülen had “ruined” the armed forces and that a purge of the “virus” would continue.

Gülen has denied any involvement in the coup, first in a statement on Saturday and then in a rare interview.

President: Stay on Streets Until Friday

Erdoğan said the public should stay on the streets until Friday to demonstrate support of the Government.

At the height of the coup attempt early Saturday, the President — who was on vacation in southwestern Turkey — used the Internet and iPhones to call on Turks to rally. The resulting public display, further buttressed when Erdoğan reached Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and gave an ad hoc press conference, was important in turning the tide against the anti-Government forces.

On Sunday night, Erdoğan supporters filled squares and streets, honking horns and waving flags.

As more alleged coup leaders were rounded up on Sunday — including some from the Incirlik Airbase, which had been blockaded by security forces — the Foreign Ministry raised the death toll to more than 290, including more than 100 anti-Government troops, and said 1,400 people were injured.

More than 2,700 military personnel had been detained on Saturday, and the number grew further with reports of arrests of police and members of the judiciary. A judiciary body dismissed 2,745 judges and issued warrants for the arrest of 140 members of the Supreme Court and 48 of the Council of State.