Coup a black stain for democracy: Turkish PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday the attempted military coup the previous night to overthrow the government constituted a "black stain for Turkish democracy".

In a televised address to the nation, Yildirim called the coup plotters terrorists, but said the nation has answered their attempt effectively, the Guardian reported.

Yildirim said that 161 people were killed and 1,440 injured in the coup attempt.

Some 2,839 members of the armed forces, ranging from ordinary soldiers to high-ranking officers, have been detained, the BBC quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Yildirum said the police and security forces risked their lives to restore order.

"Turkish law will now deal with coup plotters, they will be punished accordingly," the Guardian reported quoting Yildirum as saying.

Asked if re-introducing the death penalty was an option for dealing with coup plotters, Yildirum said the Turkish government will consider legal changes, the daily noted.

"The nation will never forget these people who committed treason," he said.

"The first stage of the coup is over," the Prime Minister added.

Yildirum is set to hold a parliamentary meeting later in the day.

--IANS

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