Turks in Germany remember failed coup bid in Turkey

By Cuneyt Karadag

BERLIN (AA) – A commemoration ceremony was held Monday in Germany’s capital for the 251 people who were martyred during the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

Some 251 coffins wrapped in the Turkish flag with the names of the martyrs were placed in front of Berlin's historic Brandenburg Gate and the U.S. embassy as part of an event organized by the Hacivat Art and Culture Association.

Bilgili Uretmen, the president of the association, asked German authorities to extradite coup suspects to Turkey to face charges.

Turkey marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day, which is commemorated with events honoring those who lost their lives while defeating the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz