Erdogan promised to bring true democracy to Turkey. Instead, he’s held it hostage
Elmira Bayrasli
July 17, 2016
Military men with guns are one of my earliest memories of Turkey. I had come to the country from New York City as an 8-year old in 1979. The country was undergoing a period of tremendous violence. To “protect” the country, the military flexed its muscle. It marched through the streets and imposed martial law. A year later the military seized power, as it had twice before in 1960 and 1971, replacing the democratically elected leader of the country and scrapping the Turkish constitution.
More:Erdogan promised to bring true democracy to Turkey. Instead, he’s held it hostage — Quartz
