Huge crowds due at Turkish pro-democracy rally

ISTANBUL: Hundreds of thousands of people were on Sunday expected to join a pro-democracy rally in Istanbul, bringing to an end three weeks of demonstrations following a failed July 15 coup.
Followers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have taken to the streets every night since the failed putsch that claimed at least 273 lives including 34 coup plotters.
The "Democracy and Martyrs" rally was due to be held under tight security with Erdogan inviting opposition leaders to address the crowds, except the pro-Kurdish HDP party.
The rally will be held on Istanbul's Yenikapi Square with some media predicting that up to 3.5 million could attend.
Yenikapi is the location often chosen by the Turkish leader for his party's mass rallies, with huge crowds often thronging the square in seas of red Turkish crescent flags.
The rally will be shown live on giant screens across the country, Erdogan has said, with singers also invited to perform for the crowd.
The leader of one opposition party, the National Movement Party (MHP), said on Twitter he had accepted Erdogan's invitation to take part.
"I will stand on the side of Turkey against traitors and centres of hostility," he wrote in a tweet retweeted by Erdogan.
A Turkish government official said it was the first time the president had retweeted an opposition leader.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), initially refused to join the rally and said he would send representatives instead.
But after repeated invitations from Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, the party decided on Friday that Kilicdaroglu would attend after all – because of "our commitment to democracy, our faith in rule of law and our eternal respect for martyrs".

Sweeping crackdown
Speaking to Turkish media on Saturday, Erdogan thanked opposition leaders for agreeing to take part in the rally which he said would "embolden our unity".
Only Turkish flags will be allowed at Sunday's event, ruling party officials said.
"Those who believe in democracy cannot be discouraged by tanks or cannons," Erdogan also said, quoted by the private NTV television.
The CHP hosted a mass pro-democracy rally last month on Istanbul's Taksim Square. Erdogan's AKP supporters also took part in a show of patriotic post-coup unity.
Turkey has accused reclusive US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the coup attempt which was led by a rogue faction in the military.
Erdogan has retaliated with a sweeping crackdown on alleged coup plotters.
Over 60,000 people from the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been dismissed, detained or put under investigation for suspected links to the Gulen movement.
From his compound in the US state of Pennsylvania, Gulen has denied the charges.
The mass purge has strained Turkey's ties with its Western allies and cast a shadow over its long-term bid to join the European Union after Erdogan suggested the death penalty might be reintroduced.
Erdogan, who arrived in Istanbul late on Friday, said the rally in Yenikapi would be broadcast live via giant screens nationwide with one also due to be installed in Pennsylvania.
"A mega board will be put up in one more place. Do you know where?" he asked a crowd.
"In Pennsylvania. The message will be delivered," he said. — AFP