Turkey coup: World leaders call for 'restraint and moderation' as President Erdogan continues purge
Around 8,000 police officers have been removed following the attempted military coup
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said he will support an EU call for "restraint and moderation" in Turkey following the failed military coup.
Federica Mogherini, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, said foreign ministers will send a "strong message" that the rule of law and the democratic system of checks and balances must be respected in Turkey in the wake of the putsch failure.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said Turkish authorities' reaction to the failed coup needed to be "proportionate." He said he was alarmed by the arrests of judges and calls for reinstatement of the death penalty against coup participants.
Some 8,000 police officers across Turkey have been removed following the attempted military coup.
The move comes as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues his "cleansing operation" after the attempt to oust him on Friday night by members of the country's military.
Over 6,000 people in the army, judiciary and other state bodies have been arrested following violent clashes in Ankara and Istanbul, where at least 290 people were killed.
Soldiers closed the bridge over the Bosphorus river in Istanbul around 10pm local time on Friday, in the first part of their plot to overthrow the country's leadership.
Tanks were then stationed outside the main Ataturk airport in the city and soldiers took over the state broadcaster - forcing the newsreader to read out a prepared statement live on air saying a "peace council" was in control.
But President Erdogan - who was on holiday at the time of the coup - gave a defiant interview over FaceTime to urge his supporters to go out onto the streets and defy the coup.
Later on Mr Erdogan was able to fly into to Istanbul and reestablish control.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments