More than 2,700 judges purged

Ankara, July 16 (IANS) Over 2,700 judges were removed by the Turkish government following the botched coup, state run Anadolu news agency reported, in the first sign of how Friday night could increase President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's authoritarian rule.

At least 2,745 judges were removed following a decision of the High Council of Judges, NTV reported.

Five members of the High Judiciary Court Board were also removed, it said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Saturday he was in command of Turkey after thousands of civilians took on army units that had staged a coup, leaving 161 people dead and the country shaken.

Nearly 1,500 people, policemen included, were also injured in the coup attempt that began on Friday night.

By Saturday morning, the military was beaten back by "People's Power" and 2,839 officers and soldiers were detained, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said.

Chaos prevailed on Friday night amid reports that soldiers were trying to take control of bridges and key areas in major cities. Army helicopters began air strikes and shelled key locations in the capital Ankara.

Bombs struck near the Turkish Grand Assembly. Airborne shelling at several locations included the ruling AK Party headquarters, the presidential complex and the General Staff, Anadolu News Agency said.