24 Jul 2016

The Ambassador of Turkey in Botswana, Mr Ibrahim Yagli says a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces attempted to stage a coup in Ankara and Istanbul on July 15.

Addressing the media in Gaborone on July 21, Ambassador Yagli said it was understood in a short time that it was a terrorist campaign where perpetrators fired at their own people, betrayed their commanders and bombed Parliament and the Office of the Presidency.

Mr Yagli said from the beginning, the command chain and vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces stood up against the coup staged by some elements of the Air Forces, Gedarmerie and armoured units that joined the violent conspiracy.

He said both the police and public prosecutors took the necessary measures to foil the attempt, adding that it was the Turkish nation who thwarted the plot.

“They displayed historic solidarity as they took to the streets and remained defiant; they stood bravely in front of the tanks and reclaimed their democratic rights,” he said.

The terrorists, he said, tried to broadcast their messages by taking over studios of the state TV and raiding private media outlets which did not last long, hence the Turkish media played a key role in foiling the coup attempt.

He said all the political parties and members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly stood firmly by democracy, democratic politics, democratic institutions and the constitution.

He noted that during operations held against the terrorist group, more than 7 500 people have been detained with 218 of them being arrested.

“Unfortunately, 208 of our citizens were killed and more than 1 400 wounded,” he said. He added that among the dead people were 60 police officers, three military personnel and 145 civilians.

Mr Yagli said the coup attempt was staged by the Fethullar Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO), and said the government has been constantly exposing the real motives of the terrorist group and its leader Fethullar Gulen to all allies and partners. Ends