Turkish Parliament has approved a government-backed motion to extend by another three months the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the July last year’s failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The state of emergency, which has seen tens of thousands lose their jobs or arrested on suspicion, had already been prolonged once before and was due to expire on the 19th of this month.
Ankara said, the state of emergency is needed to eradicate the influence in Turkish institutions of the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who it blames for the failed coup. Gulen denies the charges. According to the latest figures published by the state-run Anadolu news agency, over 41,000 people have been arrested over suspected links to Gulen in the investigation.
The state of emergency gives the government special powers to fire state employees and close down associations, including media groups. It also extends the time that suspects can be held in jail without being charged.
Earlier Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus made the announcement following a Cabinet meeting.
Kurtulmus told reporters that ministers decided the state of emergency would be extended as of Jan. 19 for 90 days, with parliament’s approval.
He attributed the reason for the extension to the presence in public institutions of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) that the government accuses of staging an attempted government overthrow in July.
“The clearance of FETO elements from the state has not yet been completed. We need the application of the state of emergency until the end of the clearing of FETO and all terror groups in state,” he said.
After the July 15 deadly coup attempt that martyred more than 240 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, Turkey declared a state of emergency July 20.
According to the Constitution, a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum of six months, but can also be extended as needed.
Parliament must ratify the measure, and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has a comfortable majority for passage.