The manager of an award-winning Christian radio station in Turkey has said things in the country would much worse if an attempted coup against the government wa
Soner Tufan of Radio Shema was speaking as President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan continues to make arrests throughout the military, civil service, education and the public after the thwarted uprising last week.
The station, which began in 2001 and now broadcasts to seven million people from the capital Ankara, feared that if the uprising was successful existing liberties for Christians might have been eroded.
The coup attempt saw more than a hundred rebels killed. Estimates of the amount of pro-government supporters vary from between 60 and 240.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks after an emergency meeting of the government in Ankara.
Mr Erdogan has said if the people want him to he will reinstate the death penalty as a form of punishment for those involved.
Speaking on Premier's News Hour Mr Tufan, said: "We are praying for our nation. If this coup attempt were to be successful it would be worse.
"We would lose all the democratic earnings, we would lose all the human rights and freedom.
"We are praying for the government that they immediately find everybody who's attempt this coup."
Christians in Turkey make up just 0.21% of the population.
A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference
In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.
Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.
For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.
Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.
Support Us
Article by Aaron James
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
