Turkey extends emergency rule to maintain purge of gulen supporters deputy pm

Here is a summary of the article:

Turkey Extends Emergency Rule to Maintain Purge of Gülen Supporters, Deputy PM

Turkey's government has decided to extend the state of emergency for three more months, allowing it to continue its purge of suspected supporters of the Gülen movement, a group blamed for a failed coup attempt in 2016.

The decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ, who stated that the emergency rule was necessary to maintain national security and prevent further threats to the country.

The Gülen movement, led by Fethullah Gülen, a US-based cleric, was accused of orchestrating the July 2016 coup attempt, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 people. Since then, the Turkish government has launched a massive crackdown on suspected Gülen supporters, arresting and imprisoning thousands of people, including military personnel, judges, and academics.

The emergency rule, which was first introduced in July 2016, has been extended several times since then. The latest extension will allow the government to continue its purge of Gülen supporters, as well as to maintain control over the country's institutions and media.

Critics of the government have accused it of using the state of emergency to suppress dissent and opposition, and to consolidate its power. Human rights groups have also expressed concerns about the widespread human rights abuses and violations of due process that have occurred during the purge.

The extension of the emergency rule is likely to further exacerbate tensions between Turkey and the European Union, which has been critical of the government's human rights record and has called for the rule of law to be respected.

Sources: