ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday a nationwide three-month state of emergency after Friday's failed coup that martyred 246 people and injured over 1,500 others.
"The purpose of the state of emergency is to most effectively and swiftly take steps necessary to eliminate the threat to democracy in our country, the rule of law, and the rights and freedom of our citizens," Erdogan said.
After back-to-back National Security Council and Cabinet meetings – the first since the coup – Erdogan made a statement saying the three-month state of emergency was being declared under Article 120 of the Turkish Constitution.