The Latest on the aftermath of the failed military coup in Turkey (all times local):
1:15 a.m.
Turkish authorities say an operation outside the Aegean resort town of Marmaris has resulted in the capture of nine people suspected of being part of a group that raided a hotel at which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been staying during the July 15 attempted coup.
A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said three suspects were still on the run early Monday.
Erdogan had been on vacation in Marmaris when the coup attempt occurred. A group of soldiers that raided his hotel is believed to have missed the president by an hour or less.
The night-time operation used drones and helicopters to pinpoint the location of the men, the official said, adding that authorities had been notified by a group of local boar-hunters.
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4:50 p.m.
Thousands of supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have gathered in the German city of Cologne for a demonstration against the failed July 15 coup in Turkey.
Organizers played the Turkish and German national anthems and held a minute of silence for the victims of the coup as Sunday’s rally got underway. The slogan of the demonstration is “Yes to democracy. No to the coup.”
Police said shortly before the rally began that some 10,000 people had arrived at the riverside site, across the Rhine from downtown Cologne.
With four much smaller counter-protests being held elsewhere in the city, police have put 2,700 officers in place to prevent trouble.
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4:30 p.m.
Turkey’s soccer agency says all of its officials on sports committees have resigned to help the investigation into the Gulen movement, which the country’s government says was behind the failed July 15 coup that left more than 200 people dead.
Turkey says the coup was instigated by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and followers of his movement. Gulen, who heads an international network of schools, charities and businesses, denies any knowledge of or participation in the coup.
The Turkish Football Federation said in a statement on its website Sunday that the heads and members of all of its committees have tendered their resignations “for the well-being of the ongoing security investigation.”
The committees include those for arbitration, discipline, ethics, licensing, referees, anti-doping, health and foreign relations.
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2:40 p.m.
The Turkish president’s spokesman is criticizing what he says is a German ban on an appearance by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a live broadcast at an anti-coup rally in Germany.
Ibrahim Kalin said Sunday Turkey was “curious what the real reason is behind why German local courts and the Constitutional Court have prevented Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s message, and hope German officials will provide a satisfactory explanation.”
Police in the German city of Cologne say Turkey’s sports minister is expected to attend Sunday’s rally, but authorities imposed the condition that no messages from speakers elsewhere, such as politicians in Turkey, could be shown on a video screen. Germany’s highest court rejected a complaint against that ban Saturday.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said that there is “no place in Germany” for any side to “bring domestic political tensions from Turkey to us in Germany and intimidate people with other political convictions.”
As many as 30,000 participants are expected to attend.
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12:20 p.m.
Thousands of supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to demonstrate in the German city of Cologne amid heavy police presence.
Some 30,000 participants are expected at Sunday’s demonstration, which comes amid tensions following the failed coup attempt in Turkey and concern in Germany over the extent of the Turkish government’s subsequent crackdown.
Four much smaller counter-protests are also planned, including one by a right-wing German group. Police plan to have 2,700 officers in place.
Germany is home to roughly 3 million people with Turkish roots.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that there is “no place in Germany” for any side to “bring domestic political tensions from Turkey to us in Germany and intimidate people with other political convictions.”
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12:05 p.m.
A new presidential decree has introduced sweeping reforms to Turkey’s military in the wake of the failed coup in the country.
Sunday’s decree gives the president and prime minister the authority to issue direct orders to the commanders of the army, air force and navy. It also shuts down military schools, establishes a new national defense university, puts the force commanders directly under the defense ministry and announces the discharge of 1,389 military personnel.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched a sweeping crackdown on those he accuses of being involved in the July 15 attempted coup.
In an interview with private A Haber television Saturday, Erdogan said he also wants to put the country’s intelligence agency and the chief of general staff’s headquarters under the presidency.
[source:- US news]
