Erdogan’s Asylum Claim Was Rejected By Merkel During Turkish Coup

During the height of last night’s military coup attempt in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sought and was refused asylum in Germany by Chancellor Merkel, according to US military sources. American news reports that President Erdogan’s private jet asked permission to land in Germany and was refused. According to flight data the private government jet was circling in remote Turkish airspace while the president was making a plea to the public for support in crushing the coup.  The Daily Express reports: NBC News cited unnamed sources claiming that Erdogan had apparently been planning to contact the UK next about possible asylum before a military uprising against his government fizzled out and he was able to return to Istanbul. It is possible that the autocratic leader made the reported requests from his private jet as it circled above a remote area of Turkey, whilst gun battles raged between troops and police below. According to NBC News, quoting unnamed US military sources, Erdogan desperately tried to seek asylum in Europe after anti-government troops took over Istanbul airport and prevented him from landing there. The claims cannot be verified and have been treated with skepticism in some quarters. However, sources in Turkey have indicated [...]