Three-month state of emergency declared in Turkey UPDATE
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on July 20 a nationwide three-month state of emergency after the July 15 failed coup.
"The purpose of the state of emergency is to most effectively and swiftly take steps necessary to eliminate the threat to democracy in our country, the rule of law, and the rights and freedom of our citizens," Erdoğan said.
The news was announced following the back-to-back National Security Council and Cabinet meetings, the first since the coup.
The emergency state was declared under Article 120 of the
Turkish Constitution.
Under Article 120, in the event of serious indications of
widespread acts of violence aimed at the destruction of the free
democratic order, a state of emergency may be declared in one or
more regions or throughout the country for a period not exceeding
six months.
"Never be worried. There is nothing to worry about," Erdoğan said,
adding that "it is out of the question" for the armed forces to
seize power.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on his Twitter account, “The state of emergency is definitely not against democracy, the law, or freedoms, but it is aimed at protecting and reinforcing these values.”
Separately, Interior Minister Efkan Ala spoke to Anadolu Agency, saying the decision would not cause any negative effects in the lives of Turkey’s citizens. "No one need worry about it," he said.
Local media reports that the government is planning to establish
a special court for trying coup plotters and building a special
prison for the convicted junta members who took part in the coup
attempt.
Cleansing the entire state apparatus of members of the Fethullah
Gülen movement will be among the top objectives of the Council,
with around 50,000 civil servants already fired, suspended, or
detained. The government is likely to press the button to undergo
substantial changes on a number of laws to avoid future coup
attempts, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred during the failed putsch, and over 1,500 others were wounded as they protested it.
Turkey's government has said the attempted coup was organized by Gulen.
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