Turkey intends to extend post-coup state of emergency

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s government intends to extend by another three months the state of emergency that was declared following a failed military coup.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Monday that Turkey’s National Security Council would discuss prolonging the state of emergency for a sixth time this month before seeking approval in Parliament. The declaration currently is set to expire on Jan. 19.

The state of emergency has allowed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to launch a massive crackdown on suspected foes. Nearly 50,000 people have been arrested for alleged links to the July 2016 coup attempt.

Critics say the government has used its emergency powers to go after all opponents, including politicians, journalists and activists, and to often bypass lawmakers by ruling through decrees.