"There have been two recent incidents in France and Belgium where terrorist attacks resulted in six months of states of emergency, which were extended for six months. Thousands gathered overnight on the Bosphorous Bridge, which was occupied by troops in tanks who fired on civilians during the coup attempt.Yasin Aktay, spokesman of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party(AKP) told Anadolu : "We cannot understand the criticism we’re getting from Europe about this. Reports Friday had put the number at about 9,000.Of those arrested, 4,060 have been placed in detention, he said.The rapid pace of arrests - which Erdogan insists is targeting supporters of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan says was behind the failed July 15 coup - has worried many of Turkey’s Western allies, who say they see Turkey going down an increasingly authoritarian road.Turkey entered into a 90-day state of emergency on Thursday, which Erdogan has said is necessary to restore order after the coup, which left 260 dead.Turkey is also demanding that the United States extradite Gulen.Citizens have to defend themselves against the "most insidious and vile coup attempt in the history of the Turkish people," Erdogan told Anadolu.People have indeed continued to celebrate the crushing of the coup since the weekend.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 22, 2016 09:45 UTC