Turkey's top security body has recommended extending the country’s state of emergency for the sixth time since the failed coup in 2016. It comes despite claims that the new powers have been used to attack Ankara's critics.
The National Security Council, which is chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the state of emergency should be extended for three more months. The extension must be approved by the Turkish parliament, but that is seen as a formality.
The state of emergency first came into force on 20 July 2016, just five days after the attempted overthrow of President Erdogan. Ankara blamed a group led by Muslim preacher, Fethullah Gulen for the coup, but the US-based Gulen denies the charge.
The authorities have used the emergency powers to crack down on those suspected of links to Gulen as well as outlawed Kurdish militants.
Since the attempted coup, over 55,000 people have been arrested, while more than 140,000 public sector workers, including academics and prosecutors, have been suspended or sacked.
While Turkey says the prolonged state of emergency is necessary, it has been criticised by those who are concerned about the erosion of human rights under the Erdogan regime.
