July 15 coup attempt commemorations begin in Turkey

ANKARA 

Turkey has started Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of last July's coup attempt through various events across the country.

July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events are to be held under the auspices of the Presidency and will take place until Sunday evening.

Across the country, the tombs of the martyrs were also visited in the scope of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim visited the martyrs cemetery in Istanbul’s Edirnekapi district. Yildirim, who arrived before Erdogan, greeted visitors and distributed toys to the children at the entrance of the cemetery.

Family and Social Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s deputy chairman and spokesman, Mahir Unal, AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazici, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin, 1st Army Commander Gen. Musa Avsever and Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas were also present.

In Ankara, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu inaugurated a photo exhibition entitled "July 15 Treacherous coup attempt with Photos" organized by the Directorate General of Press and Information.

Soylu also visited the tombs of the martyrs in Ankara’s Golbasi district.

In southern province of Adana, Turkish EU Minister Omer Celik visited the graves of the twin police officers Ahmet and Mehmet Oruc, who were martyred in Golbasi district during an air attack on July 15.

Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki visited the central Kayseri province's garrison and the Air Command Cemetery within the scope of the July 15 events.

In central province of Eskisehir, Culture Minister Nabi Avci visited the tombs of the July 15 martyrs.

In the northwestern Bursa province, morning prayers were pronounced at the historical Grand Mosque followed by a Quran recitation. After the morning prayer, soup was distributed to the public outside the mosque.

In northwestern Kocaeli province, prayers were said for the 250 martyrs of the coup attempt.

Additionally, various activities have been organized by non-governmental organizations, municipalities and institutions within the scope of the July 15 events.

Throughout the week, Turkish embassies across the world will also hold memorial services and issue press releases about the coup attempt. Messages will also be shared on mainstream and social media.

According to the Turkish government, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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

Reporting by Kadir Yildiz and Sinan Uslu; Writing by Meryem Goktas