Erdogan invites all to join massive democracy rally

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited everyone to attend the Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally in Istanbul Sunday.

“I invite all of my citizens to Yenikapi to show in the strongest terms our unity and solidarity," Erdogan tweeted on his official Twitter account.

The massive Yenikapi event will mark the end of weeks of “democracy watch” rallies held in cities across the country since the defeated coup, which martyred 240 people and wounded more than 2,200 people.

A huge stage has been erected in the area, as well as television screens and sound systems.

Air-supported security measures have been taken around the rally point. Around 13,000 people, aside from police officers, will be on duty to organize the event and perform other technical duties.

Helicopters, ambulances and more than 700 medical personnel are also on duty.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the coup was organized by followers of preacher Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

Erdogan repeatedly said that he saw no difference between terrorist groups such as the PKK, PYD, YPG, and Daesh and U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen's FETO.