Coup attempt: Turkey to extend state of emergency for the seventh time

The cabinet has decided to extend the state of emergency, and on Wednesday parliament will follow. President Erdoğan can continue to govern by decree.

Coup attempt: Turkey to extend state of emergency for the seventh time

The state of emergency in Turkey is to be extended by three months for seventh time. The cabinet decided on Tuesday evening, said government spokesman Bekir Bozdağ, according to state news agency Anadolu. The Cabinet thus followed a recommendation of National Security Council. Bozdağ justified action with fight against terrorism.

Now Parliament, in which Islamic-conservative ACP has a majority, must vote on extension. The decision is expected for Wednesday. Without extension, emergency would expire on Thursday. If it were to be extended as expected, Turkey would be in a state of emergency after two years.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had imposed measure after coup attempt on 15 July 2016. He can rule by decree since n, decrees are not contestable before Constitutional Court and fundamental rights are restricted. Opposition, human rights defenders and EU criticise this measure.

28 soldiers sentenced to life imprisonment

The EU commission called for a repeal of state of emergency in turkey report published on Tuesday. The action taken by Turkish government against dissidents was disproportionate and, in a state of emergency, measures such as mass redundancies and arrests continued to cause serious worries, commission said. The day before, largest opposition party, CHP, protested against state of emergency in several cities in country.

In connection with coup attempt of July 2016 in Turkey, 28 soldiers were sentenced to life-long prison sentences on Tuesday. The verdicts had been spoken in three different processes in Istanbul and provinces of Mus and Sirnak, said Anadolu. The soldiers were condemned, among or things, for trying to abolish constitutional order.

The Turkish leadership has been present since coup attempt against involved soldiers, suspected Gülen supporters, opposition and journalists. All over country, lawsuits are taking place against suspected putschists. In total, more than 50,000 people are imprisoned in Turkey and more than 150,000 civil servants suspended or dismissed. Many Turkish people fled abroad, even to Germany. This is where number of Turkish asylum seekers rises, many of ir applications are successful. In January, German authorities approved 410 asylum applications, which corresponds to a recognition rate of 38.2 percent. In previous year, recognition rate was still at 6.4 percent.

Date Of Update: 18 April 2018, 12:02
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