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| After Turkey’s failed coup, Erdoğan’s brutal clampdown | After Turkey’s failed coup, Erdoğan’s brutal clampdown |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| How heavily the bloody coup attempt in Turkey has traumatised the country may be beyond anyone’s imagination. Needless to say, the perpetrators, in what seemed like an ill-planned, fast-forward action, have delivered a deadly stab to the country’s already wounded democratic system, which had been sending an SOS out to the world for some time. | How heavily the bloody coup attempt in Turkey has traumatised the country may be beyond anyone’s imagination. Needless to say, the perpetrators, in what seemed like an ill-planned, fast-forward action, have delivered a deadly stab to the country’s already wounded democratic system, which had been sending an SOS out to the world for some time. |
| It is the blood spilled that is the greatest cause for concern. According to the prime minister, Binali Yıldırım, 161 people – mainly police officers – were killed, and 2,840 were wounded in the course of 12 hours – and these figures exclude civilians who died during the clashes overnight on Friday. Such bloodshed is bound to trigger further rage and violence, and many fear that the persistent calls by AKP figures for the pro-Erdoğan crowds to demonstrate in the streets will fuel the tensions. Attempted lynchings were a stark reminder of this. | It is the blood spilled that is the greatest cause for concern. According to the prime minister, Binali Yıldırım, 161 people – mainly police officers – were killed, and 2,840 were wounded in the course of 12 hours – and these figures exclude civilians who died during the clashes overnight on Friday. Such bloodshed is bound to trigger further rage and violence, and many fear that the persistent calls by AKP figures for the pro-Erdoğan crowds to demonstrate in the streets will fuel the tensions. Attempted lynchings were a stark reminder of this. |
| Around 6,000 people (including many officers and soldiers) have been taken into custody and more will follow. Among them are generals, and large numbers of mid-ranking officers across the country. We know that they will be charged with high treason, and we also hear that the AKP is considering bringing back capital punishment – only abolished in 1999. | Around 6,000 people (including many officers and soldiers) have been taken into custody and more will follow. Among them are generals, and large numbers of mid-ranking officers across the country. We know that they will be charged with high treason, and we also hear that the AKP is considering bringing back capital punishment – only abolished in 1999. |
| The drama erupted unexpectedly, and its progress during the course of Friday night left many perplexed. It seemed that the action was badly orchestrated, patchy, and undecided. But when the news of bombings in Ankara broke, the questions became ever more serious. Observers were left wondering who was really in charge of the country – and that question still lingers. | The drama erupted unexpectedly, and its progress during the course of Friday night left many perplexed. It seemed that the action was badly orchestrated, patchy, and undecided. But when the news of bombings in Ankara broke, the questions became ever more serious. Observers were left wondering who was really in charge of the country – and that question still lingers. |
| Troops seized the state broadcaster and forced a presenter to read a long manifesto that pledged a battle against corruption and a return to democratic order. But when the parliament building was bombed, confusion hit a peak. | Troops seized the state broadcaster and forced a presenter to read a long manifesto that pledged a battle against corruption and a return to democratic order. But when the parliament building was bombed, confusion hit a peak. |
| Who were these army officers? All fingers pointed to a coup designed by the Gülen movement. Yet, given the wide spectrum of those involved and the content of their manifesto, it is highly likely that the plotters had several affiliations. It is known that the Syrian crisis and the war against the PKK caused fissures within the army. | Who were these army officers? All fingers pointed to a coup designed by the Gülen movement. Yet, given the wide spectrum of those involved and the content of their manifesto, it is highly likely that the plotters had several affiliations. It is known that the Syrian crisis and the war against the PKK caused fissures within the army. |
| Reports have suggested that a wave of arrests were in place for early Sunday morning, targeting alleged Gülen-backing officers – giving the coup the appearance of a pre-emptive move set in motion by these fears. If true, it explains why the action was so sloppy and faded so swiftly. Whatever the motivation, the attempt has doubtlessly been used as a pretext for Erdoğan to do whatever he intended to do in any case – pushing for one-man rule by a total cleansing of all opposition. | Reports have suggested that a wave of arrests were in place for early Sunday morning, targeting alleged Gülen-backing officers – giving the coup the appearance of a pre-emptive move set in motion by these fears. If true, it explains why the action was so sloppy and faded so swiftly. Whatever the motivation, the attempt has doubtlessly been used as a pretext for Erdoğan to do whatever he intended to do in any case – pushing for one-man rule by a total cleansing of all opposition. |
| The early signs in the aftermath suggest just that: in a hasty move, 2,745 judges and prosecutors – nearly a fifth of the total – were suspended on Sunday and arrest warrants were issued for 188 high court judges. So the attempted coup has given a green light for seizing control of not just the media, but for launching a purge in the judiciary and the military. | The early signs in the aftermath suggest just that: in a hasty move, 2,745 judges and prosecutors – nearly a fifth of the total – were suspended on Sunday and arrest warrants were issued for 188 high court judges. So the attempted coup has given a green light for seizing control of not just the media, but for launching a purge in the judiciary and the military. |
| Therein lies the trauma for this unfortunate nation, whose aspirations for a decent democratic order have been more or less buried by this historic folly. Its severest consequences may just be beginning. | Therein lies the trauma for this unfortunate nation, whose aspirations for a decent democratic order have been more or less buried by this historic folly. Its severest consequences may just be beginning. |