Failed coup ‘strong shock to democracy’ in Turkey – Lithuanian minister

“The reaction now will be highly attentive monitoring, as the rule of law is a crucial factor, which is just as key to democracy as other factors,” Linkevičius said in an interview to the national radio LRT published on Monday.

The Lithuanian diplomacy chief noted that the developments in the country over the weekend had come as “a major shock to the country’s image, democracy and support of democracy within the country”.

The developments in Turkey and the terrorist attack in France have revised the agenda of the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) due to start in Brussels on Monday, Linkevičius says. The Brussels meeting should facilitate an exchange of opinions and provide a “clearer position” on what has happened.

The minister said that Lithuania, just as other EU countries, condemn the efforts to overthrow a democratically-elected administration in Turkey.

In his words, the ministry has modified the strict recommendations against travels to Turkey, urging the population to refrain from unnecessary travels. He said citizens currently in Turkey were advised to avoid public areas and demonstrations, as well as refrain from unnecessary travels to the capital Ankara, Istanbul and the border with Syria.

According to the latest data provided by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, at least 290 people were killed during the attempted coup in late hours of Friday, about 6,000 people linked to the coup were detained. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the country would consider reintroduction of capital punishment following the failed attempt to overthrow his administration.