Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says there were significant intelligence failures in the run up to last week’s failed coup.
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, he has also hinted that the country’s state of emergency could be extended, if that is deemed necessary.
“As you know France declared an initial state of emergency for three months then prolonged it for another three months. Then they prolonged it for another three months. So there is no obstacle in terms of prolonging it,” said Erdogan.
“Initially of course it is three months but after three months we can ask for a second three month period and extend it.”
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is urging Turkey to respect the rule of law, rights and freedoms – amid mounting concerns.
Tens of thousands of people have been suspended, detained or placed under investigation since the attempted coup.
“We are making it clear to our Turkish friends, we are fully behind the institutions, the democratic institutions, the legitimate institutions,” said Mogherini.
“But there is no excuse, there is no way in which the reaction can undermine fundamental freedoms and rights.”
Mogherini added: “what we’re seeing especially in the fields of universities, media, the judiciary, is unacceptable.”
