A divided Turkey marks first anniversary of failed coup
Millions participated in rallies nation-wide, according to Hurriyet Daily News. In Istanbul, they are gathering on July 15 Martyrs Bridge, formerly Bosphorus Bridge, where 34 people died during the attempted coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the rally at the bridge, walking there from his residence in the company of families of those killed in the attempted coup.
In a speech at the rally, he hailed the unarmed civilians who faced the putschists. “Just like today, they only had flags in their hands. But they had an even stronger gun – their belief.”
He suggested coup plotters should wear Guantanamo-style uniforms when appearing in court and promised to approve a law reinstating the death penalty if such a measure is passed by the parliament.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also walked to the bridge rally in the company of many high-level government officials. “People are still angry,” he said, addressing the crowd and pledging to never forget.
Rallies took place under strict security measures.
On the eve of the anniversary, more than 7,000 people were dismissed from their posts in the continuing purge aimed at clearing alleged coup-plotters and supporters from all walks of society.
Turkey has already arrested 50,000 from the military, police, and other sectors in addition to dismissing over 150,000 officials throughout the past year, drawing international criticism.
Erdogan capitalized on nationalist emotions following the coup to introduce constitutional amendments that saw his position invested with increased power after the reforms were accepted in a referendum.
US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen has been accused by Erdogan and the Turkish government of orchestrating the attempt to seize power. His network of followers was declared a terrorist organization just two months prior to the incident.
Gulen denies the accusations and has denounced Erdogan’s consolidation of power, calling him a “dictator.”
In a piece written for British newspaper The Guardian, Erdogan said his efforts to bring Gulen to justice are important for “democracy everywhere.”
He also criticized western nations for failing to show support for Turkey. “Their hypocrisy and double standards deeply disturbed the Turkish people, who risked everything to defend freedom,” Erdogan wrote.
Turkey’s two main opposition parties, the CHP and the pro-Kurdish HDP, have condemned what they call increasing authoritarianism in the country.
The leader of CHP, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, completed this month a ‘justice march’ from Ankara to Istanbul in protest of the detention of one of their members.
The leaders and many MPs of HDP are in jail, accused of supporting the outlawed PKK.
The US State Department issued a statement on Saturday praising the Turkish people who took to the streets on the night of July 15 to stop the coup, but warning against restrictions on key freedoms that are the foundations of democracy. “More voices, not fewer, are necessary in challenging times,” the statement said.
July 15 has been declared a national holiday in Turkey.
Last updated at 11.29 pm