Turkish crowds rally to democracy calls after coup attempt

Large crowds have gathered in Istanbul and other cities after calls by Turkish authorities to defend democracy following the failed military coup.

Less than 24 hours earlier thousands had turned out to help quash the plot.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the extradition of US-based clericFethullah Gulen over the plot. Mr Gulen denies any involvement.

Nearly 3,000 soldiers have been detained and some 2,700 judges sacked as the government re-asserts power.

Generals are reported to be among those detained.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called the coup attempt a "black stain on Turkish democracy".

Official figures put the number of civilians and police killed at 161, while 104 soldiers involved in the coup also died. The number of injured was 1,440.

US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Turkish authorities to respect the rule of law during their investigations into the coup attempt.

Mr Kerry also warned Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that public suggestions the US had a role in the plot were "utterly false" and harmful to relations.

The US also says that Turkey must provide evidence before any extradition of Fethullah Gulen could be considered.

Author: 
BBC