Turkish vice president marks anniversary of failed coup

ANKARA

Turkey’s vice president on Monday commemorated the third anniversary of the 2016 failed coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

“The whole world has seen how the Turkish people answered their president’s call when their national unity and solidarity were infringed on,” said Fuat Oktay.

“Those who are uncomfortable with Turkey’s [economic] development and with the fact that Turkey is a rapidly rising power in its region could not hide their astonishment in the face of this heroic response of our nation,” Oktay added.

He commemorated all the heroic martyrs who enabled the Turkish people to live in a free and democratic environment and expressed his gratitude to veterans.

Turkey marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day, which is commemorated with events honoring those who lost their lives while defeating the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the legitimate state apparatus through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz