Plotters in Turkey coup rounded up

World leaders including US President Barack Obama have strongly condemned the attempted putsch but also urged Turkey to respect the “rule of law” in its aftermath, especially after pictures emerged showing the rough treatment of some coup plotters when arrested. 

About 161 civilians and regular troops lost their lives when a group within the army sought to overthrow the authorities by seizing key strategic points in Istanbul and Ankara. Over 100 coup plotters were also killed, the military has said. 

The botched coup bid marked the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s rule in 13 years as prime minister and now president. 

But he successfully mobilised supporters into the streets to face down the plotters. Thousands responded late yesterday to a new call by the president to pour into the squares to celebrate the “victory of democracy” with mass rallies of flag-waving Turks reported in cities including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. Europe Minister Omer Celik urged people to stay on the streets, writing on Twitter that the “vigil for democracy” continues. 

The Turkish authorities have made clear they will show no mercy in the wake of the coup, accusing the plotters of acting on behalf of Erdogan’s arch enemy, the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen. 

The government has already said that almost 6,000 have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the putsch.