Following a failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the government moved swiftly to shore up his power and remove those perceived as an enemy, saying Sunday it has detained 6,000 people.
The crackdown targeted not only generals and soldiers, but a wide swath of the judiciary that has sometimes blocked Erdogan, raising concerns that the effort to oust him will push Turkey even further into authoritarian rule.
Friday night’s sudden uprising by a faction of the military appeared to take the government – and much of the world – by surprise.
The plotters sent warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities, but it ended hours later when loyal government forces regained control of the military, and civilians took to the streets in support of Erdogan. At least 294 people were killed and more than 1,400 wounded, the government said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the coup had failed and life has returned to normal.
“Another calamity has been thwarted,” Yildirim said in Ankara after visiting state TRT television, which had been seized by soldiers supporting the coup. “However, our duty is not over. We shall rapidly conduct the cleansing operation so that they cannot again show the audacity of coming against the will of the people.”
Yildirim said those involved with the failed coup “will receive every punishment they deserve.” Erdogan suggested that Turkey might reinstate capital punishment, which was legally abolished in 2004 as part of the country’s bid to join the European Union.
Speaking to a large crowd of his supporters in front of his Istanbul residence Sunday evening, Erdogan responded to frequent calls of “We want the death penalty!” by saying: “We hear your request. In a democracy, whatever the people want they will get.”
Funerals were held for some of those who were killed in the coup attempt, including Erdogan’s campaign manager Erol Olcak and his 16-year-old son, Abdullah Tayyip Olcak. The president, who attended the service, wept and vowed to take the country forward in “unity and solidarity.”
The government’s announcement that 6,000 people had been detained – including three top generals and hundreds of soldiers – suggested a wide conspiracy. Observers said the scale of the crackdown, especially against the judiciary, indicated the government was taking the opportunity to further consolidate Erdogan’s power.