Related Content Huge purge expanded in Turkey Turkish president on protesters: 'Why should I keep them?' Many also fear that the sweeping purge it triggered will enable the Erdogan, an Islamist, to further weaken rivals and chip away at the country's secular traditions. At least 232 people died in the resulting chaos as thousands of police and other people loyal to Erdogan intervened. The tumult is rattling Turkey, which was founded in secularism but has become profoundly divided over the role of Islam in society. That prospect terrifies Mesut Duman, 22, who reveres Ataturk, isn't religious and sees Turkey as part of Europe rather than the Middle East.
Source: New Zealand Herald July 20, 2016 00:45 UTC