Turkey to discuss extending state of emergency

Turkey is to decide if the state of emergency will be expanded for an additional three months, confirmed the country’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Speaking to foreign media representatives in Ankara, Yildirim announced yesterday that the National Security Council (MGK) is set to decide if the nationwide state of emergency, implemented after the foiled coup attempt last year, will be extended for an additional three months.

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The state of emergency was imposed after last year’s July 15 coup as part of the government’s efforts to investigate the Gülenist movement which is suspected to be behind the attempted putsch.

The first state of emergency was initially ordered by parliament on 21 July and then extended again on 11 October.

On 3 January, the state of emergency was renewed for another period of three months, which is due to expire on 19 April.

Turkish officials and security agents suspect that the failed July 15 coup attempt, which left 248 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured, was organised by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999.

It is thought that Gulen has led a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what the government has called the “parallel structure”.