On the evening of July 15th, a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces attempted to stage a coup in various cities of Turkey, particularly in Ankara and İstanbul.

It was understood in a short time that this was more than a treacherous plot: It was a terrorist campaign. The perpetrators fired at their own people, stabbed their commanders in the back and bombed the National Parliament and the Office of the Presidency.

From the very beginning, the command chain and vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces stood up against the coup attempt. It was merely some elements of the Air Forces, Gendarmerie and armored units that joined the violent conspiracy. Both the police and public prosecutors immediately took necessary measures to foil the attempt.

Above all, it was the Turkish nation who thwarted the plot. They displayed a historic solidarity as they took to the streets and remained defiant. They stood bravely in front of the tanks and reclaimed their democratic rights.

The terrorists tried to broadcast their message by taking over studios of the state TV (TRT) and raiding private media outlets. Yet the plotters’ attempt to control media did not last long. It must be noted that the Turkish media also played a key role in subsiding the coup attempt.

Throughout the process, all the political parties and Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly stood firmly by democracy, democratic politics, democratic institutions and the Constitution. A Joint Declaration in defense of democracy was issued during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly on the 16th of July.

During the operations held against the terrorist group, as of 18 July 2016, 7.543 people including 6.138 members of security forces, 755 judges and prosecutors along with 650 civilians have been detained. 24 coup plotters were captured dead and 50 of them were captured wounded. The operations continue.

Unfortunately, 208 of our citizens including 60 police officers and 3 soldiers and 145 civilians were martyred, and 1.491 people including 101 from our members of security forces and 1.390 civilians were wounded. 316 coup plotters were arrested with court decision.

The Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) suspended its 5 members as well as 2.745 judges and prosecutors. The Ministry of Interior suspended 8.777 officials including police commissioners.

A group of eight involved in the coup attempt fled to Greece onboard a helicopter that they stole. Necessary steps have been taken for the return of the suspects and the helicopter.

This coup attempt was staged in no uncertain terms by the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). Our Government has been constantly exposing the real motives of this terrorist group and its leader, Fethullah Gülen, to all allies and partners. The failed coup is the latest criminal act revealing the danger posed by FETÖ.

Our President, Prime Minister, Government, Members of Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish people all together defeated this coup attempt and stood by democracy and rule of law.

The terrorists will be punished in accordance with the law.