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Turkey coup attempt: Some 6,000 people detained, says minister Turkey coup arrests hit 6,000 as Erdogan roots out 'virus'
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey has detained 6,000 people over Friday's failed coup and the number is expected to rise further, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag has said. Arrests in Turkey after Friday's failed coup have risen to around 6,000, with President Erdogan vowing to purge state bodies of the "virus" that caused it.
The sweep has included high-ranking soldiers and 2,700 judges. More than 50 senior soldiers were detained in the western province of Denizli on Sunday. At a funeral for one of the victims, Mr Erdogan again blamed US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen for the plot. Mr Gulen strongly denies any involvement.
Mr Bozdag described the arrests as a "clean-up operation". High-ranking military officers and 2,700 judges are among those held.
At least 265 people were killed in clashes as the coup failed. Some 265 people died in clashes as the coup failed - many of them civilians and police loyal to the government.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says parliament might consider a proposal to introduce the death penalty. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that those behind the plot would pay a heavy price, calling the coup a "gift from God... because this will be a reason to cleanse our army".
Mr Erdogan has accused a US-based Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen of being behind the plot, which Mr Gulen denies. He had earlier suggested parliament might consider a proposal to restore the death penalty.
High-profile arrests Tens of thousands of Turks partied into the small hours of Sunday on the main squares of key cities to celebrate the failure of the coup.
The arrests reportedly include Gen Erdal Ozturk, commander of the Third Army; Gen Adem Huduti, commander of the Second Army; and Akin Ozturk, the former Chief of Air Staff. Drama not quite over yet - BBC's Selin Gerit in Istanbul
Maj Gen Ozhan Ozbakir, commander of the Denizli garrison, was among the senior military figures arrested on Sunday, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reports. Emotions are running high as funerals for those killed during the coup plot are held. President Erdogan was among those mourning in Istanbul for the brother of one of his closest advisers.
"My glorious nation has given the best response to the coup plotters," Mr Erdogan said in a televised speech frequently interrupted by chants of "God is Great!" Whenever he made a reference to Fethullah Gulen, the roar of boos would come from the crowd.
Turkey has been through a dramatic 48 hours, on a scale even this country - with a turbulent past of three previous coups and a further two military interventions - had never seen before. And it is not totally over yet.
As more than 6,000 have been detained and the expectation that numbers could rise further, one Twitter user commented "this is an opportunity for the governing party to cleanse out all opposition to the presidential system".
Mr Erdogan's critics wonder if he could he make use of the latest events as leverage to push harder for a constitutional change that would further enhance his powers.
Among the latest arrests to be reported was the commander of Incirlik air base in the south used by US-led coalition jets for raids against the so-called Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Unnamed officials said Gen Bekir Ercan Van and 10 other soldiers had been detained for their role in the coup.
Also on Sunday, more than 50 senior soldiers were detained in the western province of Denizli, including the garrison commander.
Those arrested on Saturday were reported to include Gen Erdal Ozturk, commander of the Third Army; Gen Adem Huduti, commander of the Second Army; and Akin Ozturk, the former Chief of Air Staff.
One of Turkey's most senior judges, Alparslan Altan, has also been taken into custody.One of Turkey's most senior judges, Alparslan Altan, has also been taken into custody.
Eight Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece and claimed political asylum have appeared in court there charged with illegal entry. President Erdogan has called on the US to extradite Fethullah Gulen, 75, who heads the popular Hizmet movement and is said to count military chiefs and mid-level bureaucrats among his followers.
Their lawyer told Greek TV they had not taken part in the coup, but had flown to Greece when they were shot at by Turkish police. Turkey is seeking their extradition.
'Harmful insinuations'
Mr Erdogan said that those behind the plot would pay a heavy price, calling the coup a "gift from God... because this will be a reason to cleanse our army".
He called on the US to extradite Mr Gulen, who heads the popular Hizmet movement and is said to count military chiefs and mid-level bureaucrats among his followers.
Once allies, Mr Erdogan has long accused Mr Gulen and his supporters of plotting against him.Once allies, Mr Erdogan has long accused Mr Gulen and his supporters of plotting against him.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said of any extradition, that Turkey should "present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny".US Secretary of State John Kerry said of any extradition, that Turkey should "present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny".
Mr Gulen has denied any involvement in the coup. The 75-year-old, who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania for the past 15 years, said: "I don't even know who my followers [in Turkey] are." Mr Gulen has denied any involvement in the coup. He has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania for the past 15 years, said: "I don't even know who my followers [in Turkey] are."
Mr Kerry strongly rebuked a Turkish minister who suggested Washington was behind the coup. He said "utterly false" insinuations were "harmful to our bilateral relations".Mr Kerry strongly rebuked a Turkish minister who suggested Washington was behind the coup. He said "utterly false" insinuations were "harmful to our bilateral relations".
US President Barack Obama has joined other world leaders in calling for all parties in Turkey to "act within the rule of law".US President Barack Obama has joined other world leaders in calling for all parties in Turkey to "act within the rule of law".
Tens of thousands of Turks partied into the small hours of Sunday in celebration of the failure of the coup.
Many of those who have been critical of President Erdogan's growing authoritarianism welcomed the speedy extinguishing of a coup as a victory for democracy, says the BBC's Middle East World Service Editor Sebastian Usher.
But they are now holding their breath to see how Turkey's much prized democratic system will bear up as Mr Erdogan takes full advantage of his personal triumph in defeating those who tried to bring him down, he adds.
Why did coup happen? - Jeremy Bowen, BBC News Middle East Editor
The attempted coup happened because Turkey is deeply divided over President Erdogan's project to transform the country and because of the contagion of violence from the war in Syria.
President Erdogan and his AK Party have become experts at winning elections, but there have always been doubts about his long-term commitment to democracy. He is a political Islamist who has rejected modern Turkey's secular heritage. Mr Erdogan has become increasingly authoritarian and is trying to turn himself into a strong executive president.
From the beginning Mr Erdogan's government has been deeply involved in the war in Syria, backing Islamist opposition to President Assad. But violence has spread across the border, helping to reignite the fight with the Kurdish PKK, and making Turkey a target for the jihadists who call themselves Islamic State.
That has caused a lot of disquiet. Turkey has faced increasing turmoil and the attempt to overthrow President Erdogan will not be the last of it.
Read more: Why Turkey's stability matters
Are you in Turkey? Have you been affected by the unrest? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.Are you in Turkey? Have you been affected by the unrest? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.
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