Survivors share experiences of Turkey's defeated coup bid

By Burcu Calik

ANKARA

Witnesses of the defeated coup attempt in 2016 shared with Anadolu Agency their experiences on that day.

Nurullah Keles, 27, carries more than 15 shrapnel pieces in his body.

Keles was in front of Gendarmerie General Command in Ankara during the coup attempt when he was hit by bombs fired from fighter jets. He lost half of his braincase and his jaw was splintered. Keles is still receiving treatment.

"The shrapnel pieces I carry in my body are a source of pride for me," Keles said.

He said some groups still try to create upheaval in Turkey and if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not in power, the nation would not have been able to fight back.

Metin Dogan, another witness, who laid on the ground when a tank was passing Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, said he was not afraid at the moment.

"July 15 means for me giving your life without hesitation for something that you love so much," he said.

Ahmet Akpolat, a cameraman of CNN Turk TV Channel, did not hand over his camera to the putschists that night.

Akpolat said he resisted for a long time and did not give his camera, adding that professional ethics and the way he was raised played a role in his brave act.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

*Cigdem Alyanak from Istanbul contributed to this story