In his first decree since emergency was declared in Turkey, President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that any suspect can be detained without being charged with a crime for upto 30 days. The president said the step was being taken to facilitate an in-depth investigation into the July 15 coup attempt. State news agency Anadolu reported that this detention period was earlier limited to a maximum of four days.

The decree also authorised the closure of 1,043 private schools, 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions over suspected links to last week’s military coup that left more than 290 people dead. However, the decree needs to be approved by the Parliament.

Erdogan has also pledged to overhaul the army and hinted at the possibility of re-introducing capital punishment in the country, reported Reuters. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told CNN Turk that they would consider the peoples’ demand for death penalty to coup plotters. "People demand the death penalty and that demand will surely be assessed.” Turkey had abolished capital punishment in 2004 as part of its bid to join the European Union.

Erdogan had declared a state of emergency in Turkey on Wednesday as a measure to swiftly root out supporters of the military coup. Turkey has already detained or suspended more than 60,000 members of the military, administration, judiciary, and others since the attempted coup. It was alleged that Turkish authorities have been targeting followers of Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan accused of masterminding the coup. However, the 75-year-old cleric, who now lives in the United States, has denied the charge.

During emergency, the president and government can pass laws without seeking parliamentary support, and can curb or suspend various rights and freedoms as they see necessary.