Thousands gather in Ankara for ‘democracy watches’

Erdogan to address parliament at 2.32 a.m., corresponding to time building was bombed by coup plotters

By Ilkay Guder and Serdar Acil

ANKARA (AA) - Thousands of demonstrators gathered here Saturday for "democracy watches" as part of a nationwide “Democracy and National Unity Day” to mark one year since a deadly failed government overthrow.

Protesters flocked to the Bestepe neighborhood and in the Ulus and Kizilay districts, for a unity march to the parliament.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address parliament in Ankara at 2.32 a.m. (1132GMT), the exact time parliament was bombed on the night of the attempted putsch.

Sunday's program will begin with a morning prayer at the Bestepe Millet Mosque in Ankara, followed by the opening of the July 15 Martyrs' Monument at the presidential complex.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, is accused of orchestrating the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which martyred 250 souls and injured 2,200 others.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Kaynak:

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