Ankara bans public gatherings due to 'terror alert'

Turkey's capital Ankara has banned all public gatherings and demonstrations until the end of November after receiving information about "potential terror attacks".

The Ankara governorate said in a statement on Monday that all such meetings had been prohibited until November 30, in line with the state of emergency imposed in the wake of a failed coup attempt on July 15.

It said that the decision was taken "to ensure people's safety and public order".

The governorate, which is responsible for security throughout the capital and the wider province, said it had received intelligence "that banned terror organisations were preparing actions in our province".

Without naming the organisations, it said that the groups were thought to had been planning attacks on public demonstrations and meetings.

Events covered by the ban include gatherings and protests in open or closed public places such as streets, avenues, parks and squares, as well as plays and performances in public places.

Public bodies may organise events in public places if they obtain special permission from the governor’s office.
 aljazeera.com
17/10/16