Turkey has safely come through a violent coup attemptaimimg atoverthrowing the democratically-elected government and the constitutional order in Turkey.

Democratic resolve and unityof our State, Parliament, Government, Political Partiesand our People prevailed against this attempt. However, the coup attempt claimed the lives of

208 Turkish citizens, including 60 policemen. A total of 1491 Turkish citizens were also wounded.

Solid evidence indicate that the plotters of the foiled coup attempt are linked to the Fethullah Gülen movement which had already been outlawed in Turkey and legally declared to be a terrorist organization, i.e. “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization - FETÖ.

Over the years, FETÖ has created an undercover network in the Turkish Military as well as in several State organs and institutions. This organization has also created a broad network of members or sympathizers in foreign countries.

Required measures and investigation are now underway against all those involved in the coup attempt, so that all those responsible are brought swiftly before justice.

The validity of charges and the eventualsentences that the perpetrators would face will be determined by the Turkishcourts. There should be no doubt that the process will be conducted in full respect to fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law. All judicial remedies will remain available.

Turkey is among the founding members of the Council of Europe which sets the highest universal standards in respect of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Turkish judicial system functions in full observance of its obligations deriving from the UN Human Rights Conventions, European Convention of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.