Turkey issues warrants for 42 journalists after failed coup as Europe fears Erdogan is capitalising on the country’s three-month State of Emergency
Amnesty International has called it a 'brazen attack on press freedom'
Turkish authorities have issued warrants for the detention of 42 journalists and detained 31 academics, in what Amnesty International has called a brazen attack on press freedom.
This comes as the Turkish government proceeds with a crackdown against people allegedly linked to a US-based Muslim cleric following the failed coup.
The list of journalists wanted for questioning includes prominent writer Nazli Ilicak, who is critical of President Erdogan, according to state-run news agency Anadolu.
Mr Ilicak has opposed the government clampdown on a movement led by Fethullah Gulen, the cleric accused by Turkey of directing the July 15 coup attempt.
Mr Gulen has denied any involvement in the failed insurrection that left about 290 people dead and was put down by loyalist forces and pro-government protesters.
“This is the latest alarming development in what is increasingly becoming a brazen purge based on political affiliation,” said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe.
“By rounding up journalists the government is failing to make a distinction between criminal acts and legitimate criticism. Rather than stifling press freedom and intimidating journalists into silence it is vital that Turkish authorities allow the media to do their work and end this draconian clampdown on freedom of expression.”
Authorities have already detained or placed under investigation thousands of soldiers, judges and civil servants as President Erdogan vowed to purge state bodies of the "virus" he says caused the revolt. So far, five journalists have been detained for questioning, Anadolu reported.
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The arrests or suspensions of soldiers, police, judges and civil servants in response to the July 15-16 attempted-coup have raised concerns among rights groups and Western countries, who fear Erdogan is capitalizing on it to tighten his grip on power.
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker questioned Ankara's long-standing aspiration to join the EU.
"I believe that Turkey, in its current state, is not in a position to become a member any time soon and not even over a longer period," Juncker said on French television France 2
Last week, Turkey declared a three-month state of emergency, allowing the president and the government to bypass parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms.
Since it was declared more than 13,000 people from the military, law enforcement and the media have been detained by the government.
Tens of thousands of Turks have also lost their jobs, suspected of possible links to coup plotters.
State-run Turkish Airlines said it had fired 211 employees, citing their links to a religious movement Erdogan has blamed for the attempted putsch.
Amnesty's Turkey researcher, Andrew Gardner, said the reported ill-treatment also included verbal abuse, threats, leaving people without food or water for days, and handcuffing them behind their backs for long periods.
"We're looking for procedures to be followed, for lawyers to have access, for family members to be informed that their relatives have been detained," said Mr Gardner.
"We need to see proper medical care for people in detention, which isn't happening either. But also it's crucial that there are international monitors allowed to enter these places of detention."
Berat Albayrak, the energy minister and Mr Erdogan's son-in-law, said the government was determined to clamp down on the coup plotters but would take utmost care to ensure that anyone not involved in the conspiracy is not harmed.
"We cannot show mercy to those who oppressed the people," Mr Albayrak told CNN Turk television.
Care will be taken to ensure that the innocent are not harmed, "but it is doubtful this can be ensured 100%," he said. "Some minor difficulties can occur," he added.