Several Turkish diplomats have fled to other countries, despite calls for them to return to Ankara after last month’s failed military coup.
The deadline for Turkish diplomats to be back in Ankara before beginning investigations into the coup was Thursday, according to Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Those who fled were based in Greece and Bangladesh, and have travelled to Italy, New York and Japan. Cavusoglu confirmed that another military attache based in Kuwait had attempted to escape. The foreign minister also used his interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV to warn that those who do not return may have legal action taken against them.
Thousands of soldiers in Turkey’s armed forces, the second-biggest in NATO, have been dismissed or detained since the failed coup last month. President Tayyip Erdogan’s approval rating has soared from 47 to 68 percent throughout July, prompting speculation that Erdogan has used the coup to bolster his own power.