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| Version 24 | Version 25 |
|---|---|
| Turkey coup attempt a 'black stain on our democracy' – latest updates | Turkey coup attempt a 'black stain on our democracy' – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.56am BST | |
| 11:56 | |
| Helena Smith | |
| In Greece, our correspondent Helena Smith is being told that the eight Turkish military personnel who sought asylum in the northern Greek town of Alexandoupolis have removed all insignia from their uniforms, making it impossible to know their ranks. She reports: | |
| “We are in the process of sending interpreters in order to be debriefed,” one insider said. “We are also in touch with the Turkish embassy. It is vital that we know what is going on.” | |
| Another said it was highly unlikely that the eight men would be granted asylum. | |
| Turkey and Greece, though Nato partners, are long-time adversaries, with Athens closely watching events in Ankara. | |
| As such, a defence expert said, this was the first time a Turkish military asset had landed in Greece with a view to seeking asylum in the country. | |
| The land borders between the neighbours have been reinforced but customs officials are clarifying that while the crossing between Greece and Turkey remains open (even if cross-border traffic has been reduced to a trickle), that between Turkey and Greece remains firmly closed. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.05pm BST | |
| 11.53am BST | |
| 11:53 | |
| The Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, has sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones imploring Turks to “stand up” for democracy and peace. | |
| The message, which came from “RT ERDOGAN” and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a “narrow cadre”. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.06pm BST | |
| 11.51am BST | |
| 11:51 | |
| Around 50,000 British holidaymakers in Turkey - travel agents | |
| The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) says there are currently 50,000 holidaymakers on holiday with its members. | |
| A statement from the organisation said: | |
| Following reports of an attempted military coup in Turkey, the situation remains fluid. Abta recommends that members of the public read and follow the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and any advice or instructions issued by their travel provider or airline. | |
| There has been no change to FCO advice regarding travel to Turkey and holiday programmes to the resort areas continue to operate. | |
| The vast majority of British travellers to Turkey will fly directly to the beach resorts on Turkey’s south coast which are hundred of miles away from Istanbul and the capital Ankara. | |
| Abta estimates there are currently 50,000 people on holiday with its members in Turkey. There is no indication that guests in the coastal resorts are affected. | |
| 11.28am BST | 11.28am BST |
| 11:28 | 11:28 |
| Anti-government group take over frigate, according to Greek military | Anti-government group take over frigate, according to Greek military |
| Reuters is reporting that an anti-Government group has taken over a frigate and taken the head of the Turkish fleet hostage at Turkey’s Golcuk naval base. | Reuters is reporting that an anti-Government group has taken over a frigate and taken the head of the Turkish fleet hostage at Turkey’s Golcuk naval base. |
| 11.25am BST | 11.25am BST |
| 11:25 | 11:25 |
| The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, has demanded the return of eight military personnel who have landed in Greece seeking political asylum after the failed coup. | The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, has demanded the return of eight military personnel who have landed in Greece seeking political asylum after the failed coup. |
| Helikopterle Yunanistan'a kaçan 8 hain askerin derhal teslim edilmesini istedik | Helikopterle Yunanistan'a kaçan 8 hain askerin derhal teslim edilmesini istedik |
| 11.23am BST | 11.23am BST |
| 11:23 | 11:23 |
| British Airways cancels all flights to and from Turkey | British Airways cancels all flights to and from Turkey |
| British Airways has put out this statement: | British Airways has put out this statement: |
| In the light of events in Turkey we have cancelled all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday 16 July 2016, and BA675 departing from Istanbul on Sunday 17 July. | In the light of events in Turkey we have cancelled all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday 16 July 2016, and BA675 departing from Istanbul on Sunday 17 July. |
| We are keeping flights to Turkey under review. | We are keeping flights to Turkey under review. |
| The safety and security of our customers and crew are always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so. | The safety and security of our customers and crew are always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so. |
| 11.21am BST | 11.21am BST |
| 11:21 | 11:21 |
| Turkish maritime authorities have shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers “for security and safety” reasons, Reuters reports. | Turkish maritime authorities have shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers “for security and safety” reasons, Reuters reports. |
| Shipping agent GAC said some cargo carriers such as bulkers were still being allowed to travel through the Bosphorus which divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides. | Shipping agent GAC said some cargo carriers such as bulkers were still being allowed to travel through the Bosphorus which divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides. |
| The Bosphorus is one of world’s most important chokepoints for the maritime transit of oil with over three percent of global supply - mainly from Russia and the Caspian Sea - passing through the 17-mile waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. It also ships vast amounts of grains from Russia and Kazakhstan to world markets. | The Bosphorus is one of world’s most important chokepoints for the maritime transit of oil with over three percent of global supply - mainly from Russia and the Caspian Sea - passing through the 17-mile waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. It also ships vast amounts of grains from Russia and Kazakhstan to world markets. |
| 11.09am BST | 11.09am BST |
| 11:09 | 11:09 |
| Turkish military personnel land in Greece, request political asylum | Turkish military personnel land in Greece, request political asylum |
| Greece has arrested eight men aboard a Turkish military helicopter which landed in the northern city of Alexandroupolis at midday on Saturday, the country’s police ministry said. | Greece has arrested eight men aboard a Turkish military helicopter which landed in the northern city of Alexandroupolis at midday on Saturday, the country’s police ministry said. |
| The men have requested political asylum, it added. | The men have requested political asylum, it added. |
| Greek state television ERT said the men may have been involved in Turkey’s military uprising on Friday. | Greek state television ERT said the men may have been involved in Turkey’s military uprising on Friday. |
| 11.08am BST | 11.08am BST |
| 11:08 | 11:08 |
| A Turkish official has circulated a picture of what is said to be the PM's trashed office in parliament pic.twitter.com/AO6QM3vWwu | A Turkish official has circulated a picture of what is said to be the PM's trashed office in parliament pic.twitter.com/AO6QM3vWwu |
| 11.04am BST | 11.04am BST |
| 11:04 | 11:04 |
| Georgia has shut its border with Turkey amid the instability from a military coup attempt, AP reports. | Georgia has shut its border with Turkey amid the instability from a military coup attempt, AP reports. |
| Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the country’s security council on Saturday discussed “threats that might arise to Georgia” from the situation and said both land and air borders had been closed. | Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the country’s security council on Saturday discussed “threats that might arise to Georgia” from the situation and said both land and air borders had been closed. |
| The former Soviet republic shares a 252-kilometer (152-mile) border with Turkey. | The former Soviet republic shares a 252-kilometer (152-mile) border with Turkey. |
| 10.52am BST | 10.52am BST |
| 10:52 | 10:52 |
| Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, said: | Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, said: |
| We welcome the fact that democratic rule is prevailing in Turkey, and applaud the Turkish people - including many opposed to the current government - who bravely united to stand up for democracy. | We welcome the fact that democratic rule is prevailing in Turkey, and applaud the Turkish people - including many opposed to the current government - who bravely united to stand up for democracy. |
| We mourn all those who have been killed and injured in the last 24 hours, and we urge everyone in Turkey, on all sides, to end the bloodshed and ensure there is no recrimination. | We mourn all those who have been killed and injured in the last 24 hours, and we urge everyone in Turkey, on all sides, to end the bloodshed and ensure there is no recrimination. |
| We urge the Turkish government now to recognise the need to unify the country and show greater respect for human rights, free speech and justice. These events cannot be used as justification for yet further repression and division. | We urge the Turkish government now to recognise the need to unify the country and show greater respect for human rights, free speech and justice. These events cannot be used as justification for yet further repression and division. |
| 10.49am BST | 10.49am BST |
| 10:49 | 10:49 |
| Federica Mogherini, vice-president of the European Commission, conveyed an urgent meeting of EU member states’ foreign ministers and representatives, who are currently at a summit in Mongolia, to assess the situation in Turkey. | Federica Mogherini, vice-president of the European Commission, conveyed an urgent meeting of EU member states’ foreign ministers and representatives, who are currently at a summit in Mongolia, to assess the situation in Turkey. |
| According to a statement, they expressed support to the democratic institutions of Turkey and condemned the use of violence against them. | According to a statement, they expressed support to the democratic institutions of Turkey and condemned the use of violence against them. |
| It said: “They agreed that any escalation of violence involving civilians has to be avoided. | It said: “They agreed that any escalation of violence involving civilians has to be avoided. |
| “The ministers will meet again in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council, and will discuss again the situation in Turkey at that occasion.” | “The ministers will meet again in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council, and will discuss again the situation in Turkey at that occasion.” |
| Mogherini spoke with Turkish Foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and has been in contact with other foreign ministers and with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. | Mogherini spoke with Turkish Foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and has been in contact with other foreign ministers and with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. |