Turkey is increasing its efforts to detain those responsible for the weekend's failed coup attempt. It has arrested around 6,000 members of the judiciary and military, including top judges and generals. It has also suspended nearly 8,000 police officers suspected of being involved. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would rid all government institutions of the "virus" that caused the coup. He is taking a very hard line with all suspects and announced that he might bring back the death penalty. This would hurt Turkey's efforts to join the European Union.
Turkey's Justice Minister announced that there would be more than 6,000 detentions. He said: "The legal process on these will continue." He added that: "Suspects are being charged with membership of an armed terrorist organisation and of attempting to overthrow the government of the Turkish Republic using force and violence." At least 290 people were killed and thousands wounded in the coup attempt. President Erdogan spoke to the country via mobile telephone. He asked people to "take to the streets" to reclaim democracy. Forces loyal to him soon retook control.
