Turkey’s top national security body has called for a fifth extension of a state of emergency, imposed after last year’s failed coup.
National Security Council said it recommended the extension after a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his presidential palace in Ankara yesterday for the protection of their democracy, rule of law, rights and freedoms of their citizens.
The emergency first came into force less than a week after the attempted overthrow of Erdogan on July 15, 2016 and has been used to crack down on those suspected of links to the group blamed for the coup bid.
Critics say the emergency has also been used to target government opponents including critical journalists as well as pro-Kurdish critics.
The next move will be for the cabinet to approve the extension later today, which is a formality.
The emergency gives broad powers to the executive, allowing the Turkish President and his cabinet to rule by decree.
