Turkey extends state of emergency for 3 more months

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The parliament on Tuesday extended the ongoing state of emergency in Turkey for three more months.

The general assembly approved the Prime Ministry’s motion calling for the extension, which would become effective as of Thursday, 1.00 a.m. (2200 GMT).

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) voted in favor of the extension, while main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and People's Democratic Party (HDP) were against it.

According to the Constitution, a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months.

To enact the state of emergency, the government must see serious indications of widespread violence that could interfere with Turkey's democratic environment or its citizens' basic rights and freedoms as established by the Constitution.

Turkey declared a state of emergency for the first time on July 20 last year following a deadly coup attempt by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara 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.