Turkey to extend state of emergency

Turkey’s government intends to extend by another three months the state of emergency that was declared following a failed military coup.

Deputy prime minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters after a cabinet meeting yesterday that Turkey’s national security council would discuss prolonging the state of emergency for a sixth time this month before seeking approval in parliament. The declaration currently is set to expire on 19 January.

The state of emergency has allowed Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to launch a massive crackdown on suspected foes.