Erdogan accuses West of 'supporting terror' in Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the West on Tuesday of "supporting terror" in Turkey and backing those who masterminded the abortive coup of July 15.
During a speech at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, the Turkish president lashed out at the country's Western allies, saying the failed coup was a "scenario written from outside," in an apparent reference to the involvement of foreign powers.
"Unfortunately, the West is supporting terror and standing by the coup plotters."
"This coup was not just an event planned from the inside. The actors inside acted out a scenario for a coup written from the outside," the Turkish president stated.
The Turkish president had previously hinted at the potential involvement of foreign powers in the coup attempt, but the Tuesday remarks saw some of the strongest allegations raised by him against Turkey’s Western allies. Erdogan also denounced "those who we imagined to be friends."
The Turkish government accuses Fethullah Gulen, the top opposition cleric based in the United States, of orchestrating the coup attempt. Ankara has even called for the extradition of Gulen. Washington, however, insists that Turkey must verify its allegations.
“How can it be, when we are strategic partners and I ask you on behalf of my country to hand someone over on the basis of a national security strategy document, you keep on hiding and sheltering him?” Erdogan asked.
German court ruling
The Turkish president also slammed Germany over a court ruling that prohibited Erdogan and other Turkish officials from addressing a weekend rally in the city of Cologne in support of the Turkish government.
Using heavy irony, Erdogan said, "Bravo! The courts in Germany work very fast!"
More than 60,000 people have been sacked, dismissed or detained in Turkey over allegations of involvement in the coup attempt and their links to Gulen. Ankara is under fire for its heavy crackdown on elements believed to be behind the failed coup.
On Tuesday, Turkey issued arrest warrants for 100 staff, including doctors, at the main military hospital in the capital Ankara, with officials saying the move was part of an investigation into the coup.
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