Turkey coup attempt: Erdogan rounds up suspected plotters
(CNN)Two
days after a failed military coup, Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan vowed a continued crackdown on those behind it -- and those
perceived to have been involved -- as large crowds heeded his call to
fill the nation's streets.
Thousands
of soldiers have been arrested and hundreds of judiciary members
removed since Friday's uprising, which left at least 290 people dead and
more than 1,400 injured in a chaotic night of violence.
Around 6,000 people have been detained and arrests will continue, according to Turkey's foreign ministry.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has vowed that "they will pay a heavy price." Erdogan said that he will remove the "viruses" from all state institutions.
The
arrests include Gen. Bekir Ercan Van, commander of the Incirlik Air
Base, according to the Turkish President's office. The United States
uses the airbase to launch airstrikes on ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
An "order of detention" for Col. Ali Yazici, a senior military aide to Erdogan, has also been issued, according to Anadolu.
Eight
Turkish soldiers flew a helicopter to Alexandroupoli, Greece, hours
after the failed coup attempt, where they were arrested and charged with
"illegal entrance" into Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
said they would be extradited within "15 to 20 days," Erdogan said
Sunday in a speech outside his Istanbul residence.
Clashes
occurred Sunday between security forces and coup plotters resisting
arrest nearly 200 miles south of Ankara at Konya Airbase, a source told
CNN. The government is now in control of the situation, the source said.
Erdogan attended a funeral on Sunday
held for some of those killed during gunfire -- including the brother of
his chief adviser, Mustafa Varank.
"It is not anything ordinary that my young brothers lay under tank pellets; this is a manifest of faith," Erdogan said.
He also said he did not rule out bringing back the death penalty for the coup's perpetrators.
As
the crowd chanted "we want the death penalty," he said, "we can't
ignore the people's request in a democracy -- this is your right."
"This
right has to be evaluated by the appropriate authorities according to
the constitution and a decision can be made," Erdogan said in the
address broadcast live on TV.
He asked supporters to stay on guard.
"You should fill the squares. This isn't a 12-hour operation. We will continue determinedly." see more
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