Turkey Extends State of Emergency for Another 90 Days

Turkey will extend a state of emergency declared following July’s failed coup for at least three more months.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced on Monday that the government is extending the state of emergency for 90 days beyond the initial three months that were due to end on Oct. 19, the AP reports.

The state of emergency has allowed the government to conduct a widespread campaign against perceived supporters of the Muslim cleric Turkey blames for the coup attempt, Fethullah Gulen. Since failed coup, officials have conducted more than 32,000 arrests of military leaders and perceived opponents of the government.

The national security council recommended lengthening the state of emergency last week, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported the measure. “Even 12 months might not be enough,” he said in Ankara on Sept. 29.

[AP]