Turkey to extend state of emergency for fifth time

Turkey is set to extend its state of emergency - imposed after last year's failed coup attempt - for the fifth time with critics claiming the laws are being used to target government opponents. 

The country's National Security Council (MGK) said it recommended the extension after a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his presidential palace in Ankara for "the protection of our democracy, rule of law, rights and freedoms of our citizens".

The emergency first came into force less than a week after the attempted overthrow of Erdogan on 15 July 2016, and has been used to crack down on those suspected of links to the group blamed for the coup bid, but also outlawed Kurdish militants.

Critics say the emergency has also been used to target government opponents including critical journalists as well as pro-Kurdish critics.

Four extensions - in October 2016, and January, April and July this year - have all been for a period of three months. 

The next move will be for the cabinet to approve the extension later on Monday, which is a formality.

The decision enables the government to by-pass parliament in enacting new decrees, but critics say the move could suspend rights and freedoms.

Over 50,000 people have been arrested over suspected links to the movement led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by the government of ordering the failed coup.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, strongly denies Ankara's claims.

Meanwhile, at least 140,000 people have been sacked or suspended from the public sector including teachers, judges and civil servants through emergency decrees published in the official gazette.