Erdogan Says Foreign Powers Could Be Involved In Turkey Coup Attempt

More than 58,000 soldiers, police officers, judges, teachers and government workers have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation since the failed military coup in Turkey, it has emerged. A statement on its conclusions, expected to include a series of emergency measures, would be made after a cabinet meeting which he also chaired in his palace, presidency sources said. On Wednesday, academics were barred from traveling overseas for work in an effort to prevent scholars and university teachers accused of participation in the coup plot from fleeing the country, Turkish officials said…

He said if the coup had succeeded, the worldwide media would have painted the story as Erdogan being “toppled as a dictator”.

“Fetullah terrorist organisation had a parallel organisation within the state and every step they have taken in making the attempt and failed coup, I don’t think we have come to the end of it yet”.

Yesterday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees allegedly linked to US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who Ankara blames for the coup.

Turks have been taken aback by the speed and scope of the arrests, firings and suspensions across the country since the failed coup.

Turkey’s Western allies have expressed solidarity with the government over the coup attempt but also alarm at the scale and swiftness of the response, urging the country to adhere to democratic values. “Turkey has overcome this challenge and will come out of it stronger by investing more”, he concluded.

President Erdogan told Al Jazeera the battle against Mr Gulen and his supporters is not over.

Turkey has repeatedly named Gulen as the instigator of its turmoil and demands his extradition from the United States.

Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated Wednesday that the USA government has made it clear to the Turkish government that it must present hard evidence of Gulen’s involvement in illegal activities if they want Gulen extradited – not just accusations and speculation.

He has condemned the abortive coup and denied any role in it.

Prime Minister Yildirim accused Washington, which has said it will consider Gulen’s extradition only if clear evidence is provided, of double standards in its fight against terrorism. A satirical magazine, Leman, said authorities blocked the distribution of a special edition over its cover featuring a caricature in which two mysterious hands play a game of strategy, one pushing soldiers onto the board and the other responding by sending civilians. Even if approved by a judge, it would still have to go to Secretary of State John Kerry, who can consider non-legal factors, such as humanitarian arguments.