Thousands of Turks take to the streets to support Government as attempted coup is crushed
PRESIDENT Erdoğan's party has called for the death penalty for those involved in the coup as thousands show their support for his regime
SUPPORTERS of Turkey's strongman President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have gathered in massive protests just hours after he called for people to take the streets to stop another coup attempt.
Tens of thousands gathered in the main Taksim square in Istanbul and Kizilay square in Ankara in support of President Erdoğan and his victory over the military's failed coup.
The supporters waved the Turkish flag and played songs praising the controversial president.
Smaller protests were also held across the country in smaller towns and cities.
Both the police and the armed forces stayed away from the mass gatherings, local media reports.
The protests followed a speech by Erdoğan in Istanbul early Saturday evening.
In his speech the President claimed that his government was in charge again, saying they were “back at work”.
“You went out in to the squares, that’s what ruined their plot. And for the next week we need to continue this solidarity, we must keep up these meetings.”
Chaos erupted across the country last night as a bloody military coup in the streets of Ankara and Istanbul saw more than 160 killed and 1,400 injured - and President Erdogan has warned more bloodshed could be on the Saturday night.
He has also said that his government would consider making the constitutional changes necessary to introduce the death penalty in the country so that the coup plotters could be executed.
The shocking declaration came after a total of 132 prosecutors and judges were detained and prohibited from leaving the country as authorities issued orders for the arrest of 2745 judges and prosecutors in connection to the attempted military coup.
The Presidents Justice and Development Party, AKP, has repeatedly faced criticism from human rights groups and Western allies for its brutal crackdowns on anti-government protesters.
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Five army generals and 29 colonels have been arrested following the attempted coup, which the government says is now largely under control.