Ankara vows to root out allies of exiled cleric Gulen
PM Yildirim accuses Washington of double standards in its fight against terrorism
Turkey vowed on Tuesday to root out allies of the US-based cleric it blames for a failed coup attempt last week, after an already deep purge of the army, police and judiciary, and said it had sent Washington evidence of his wrongdoing.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the government accuse Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating an attempted military takeover on Friday in which at least 232 people were killed, and have called for his extradition from the United States.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim accused Washington, which has said it will only consider an extradition request if clear evidence is provided, of double standards in its fight against terrorism. He said the Justice Ministry had sent a dossier to US authorities.
Western leaders have expressed solidarity with the government over the coup attempt but also alarm at the sweeping response, urging Turkey to adhere to democratic values.
In a defiant parliament speech, Yildirim said the fact civilians had been targeted in the attempted power grab by a faction in the military made it unprecedented in the history of Turkey, which last saw a violent coup more than 30 years ago.
“I’m sorry but this parallel terrorist organization will no longer be an effective pawn for any country,” Yildirim said.
“We will dig them up by their roots so that no clandestine terrorist organization will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again.”
Around 1,400 people were wounded as soldiers commandeered tanks, attack helicopters and warplanes in their bid to seize power, strafing parliament
We will dig them up by their roots so that no clandestine terrorist organization will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again.” Binali Yildirim, Turkey’s prime minister
and the intelligence headquarters and trying to seize the main airport and bridges in Istanbul.
Authorities have suspended or detained close to 20,000 soldiers, police, judges and civil servants in the days since the coup bid.
Death penalty
The crackdown and calls to reinstate the death penalty for plotters have drawn appeals from Western allies for Ankara to uphold the rule of law in the country, a NATO member bordering the chaos of Syria whose cooperation in the fight against Islamic State is crucial to Washington.
Some have expressed concern that Erdogan — who said he was almost killed or captured by the mutineers — was using the opportunity to consolidate power and further a process of stifling dissent.
Yildirim said Turkey would respect the rule of law and not be driven by revenge in prosecuting suspected coup plotters. Speaking alongside the leader of the main secularist opposition Republican People’s Party, he said the country must avoid the risk that some people try to exploit the current situation.