Turkey coup attempt: 6,000 detained as control restored after failed takeover

Turkey's Justice Minister says 6,000 people have now been detained in relation to a failed military coup, with more arrests expected, state media has reported.

"The judicial process on this will continue," broadcaster NTV quoted Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying.

Yesterday, at least 265 people, including coup plotters, were killed when a faction of Turkey's armed forces tried to seize power using tanks and attack helicopters.

The coup was declared over just after midday on Saturday (local time) and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said more than 2,800 military personnel had been arrested.

The roundup includes dozens of senior military personnel and judges, the Anadolu news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek has said on his official Twitter account that political stability in Turkey has been strengthened after the attempted takeover.

A senior official told the Reuters news agency that the Government's control had been restored across Turkey, and although a few groups of coup plotters were holding out in Istanbul, they no longer posed a risk.

There are also a few important members of the military who have not been captured, the official said, adding that they looked likely to be caught soon.

Reuters

 

Author: 
ABC Australia