The Turkish government, led by President Tayyip Erdoğan, has widened a crackdown on suspected supporters of a failed military coup today, taking the number of people arrested in the armed forces and judiciary to 6,000.
Disturbing images have appeared on social media, showing dozens of Turkish soldiers stripped of their uniforms and bound together following their arrest. It comes after a Turkish soldier was reportedly beheaded on Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge by a pro-government mob yesterday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed to purge state bodies of the 'virus' that caused the revolt. At a funeral for one of the 265 victims, the president repeated the accusation that Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is in exile in the USA, was behind the plot.
The dead are mourned in Turkey. Image Credit: Getty
Muslim cleric Gulen is generally regarded as promoting a progressive form of Islam and is often used as a scapegoat by Erdoğan when unrest takes place.
He has addressed Gulen directly, saying: "The betrayal you have shown to this nation and to this community, that's enough. If you have the courage, come back to your country. If you can. You will not have the means to turn this country into a mess from where you are."
A total of at least 265 people died in clashes overnight Friday as the coup failed, with many of those who died civilians and police loyal to the government.
Reuters has reported that with expectations growing of heavy measures against dissent, European politicians have warned President Erdoğan that the coup attempt does not give him any right to disregard international law and prisoners' human right. They have also warned that he risked losing international support if he used the coup as a way to strengthen his position at home.
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Turkish broadcaster NTV has cited Turkey's Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying that more arrests are expected on top of the 6,000 currently detained.
A group of soldiers, involved in coup attempt, are being taken under custody. Credit: Getty
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The Guardian has reported that a faction of the Turkish military tried to stage a coup to overthrow the country's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday night, sending tanks and soldiers into the streets of Istanbul and Ankara.
However, many people were strongly against the uprising and lined the streets to protest. This quickly escalated into violence, with military personnel beaten and some of the military involved in the attempted uprising opening fire on civilians. However, the protesters were ultimately successful in preventing the coup from spreading.
Yesterday President Erdoğan said that the military elements of the coup were guilty of 'treason', and cross-party politicians condemned the plot during an emergency session of parliament in Ankara.
Erdoğan had promised a purge of the armed forces even before the coup had been quashed. "They will pay a heavy price for this," he said. "This uprising is a gift from God to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army."
At a rally late on Saturday, his supporters demanded that coup leaders be executed. "Let's hang them!" crowds chanted in Ankara's central Kizilay square, with Erdoğan telling them that parliament could consider proposals to bring the death penalty back to the country.
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army APC. Credit: Getty
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Erdoğan's critics have said that he will use the purge to eliminate any dissenting voices in the courts, with top judges having been arrested.
In a statement released by the White House yesterday, President Obama reiterated the United States' "unwavering support for the democratically-elected, civilian government of Turkey."
President Obama's spokespeople released this statement: "While we have no indications as of yet that Americans were killed or injured in the violence, the president and his team lamented the loss of life and registered the vital need for all parties in Turkey to act within the rule of law and to avoid actions that would lead to further violence or instability.
"The president also underscored the shared challenges that will require continued Turkish cooperation, including our joint efforts against terrorism."
An unidentified man uses his belt to hit Turkish soldiers involved in the coup attempt. Credit: Getty
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Graphic video footage and images emerged online yesterday showing a Turkish soldier lying on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood. The man can be seen with horrific injuries after the attack. He allegedly surrendered after the failed coup attempt but was attacked by pro-government supporters.
Some European politicians have expressed their unease about developments since the coup attempt.
"We want the rule of law to work fully in Turkey," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. "It is not a blank cheque for Mr Erdoğan. There cannot be purges, the rule of law must work."
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RIP to all who have died. TheLADbible hopes that international law is obeyed as the coup's plotters are prosecuted.
Words by James Dawson
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