IN PICTURES: Huge Pro-Erdogan Islamist Rally In Germany

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Around 50,000 supporters of Turkey’s Islamist president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have rallied in Cologne, Germany to demand his authoritarian reign continues.

The Islamist crowd chanted “Allah hu Akbar!” and held signs reading, “Erdoğan is a human rights activist”, whilst opponents waved banners insisting “Stop the Erdomania!”

Members of the Turkish-nationalist, fascist-leaning “Grey Wolves” group were among the crowd that gathered on banks of the Rhine River with the city’s huge gothic cathedral in the background.

The German Federal Constitutional Court banned the live broadcasting of Mr. Erdogan’s speech at the rally, Deutsche Welle reports.

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 31: Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Cologne and surrounding cities are home to tens of thousands of people of Turkish descent. Erdogan has pursued strong-handed measures following the recent coup attempt by elements of the Turkish armed forces that include the shuttering of media outlets and the arrest of journalists as well as suspensions of ten of thousands of university professors, public servants and police members. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

Some Germans reacted furiously to the huge Islamist rally in the country’s fourth largest city, and groups ranging from far-left “anti-fascists”, neo-Nazis and Kurdish separatists held counter-demonstrations.

One angry Cologne resident was caught on video insulting the supporters of political Islam, calling them “crazy” and “fascists”.

The security presence at the rally was heavy, with snipers spotted on a rooftop nearby, and bullet-proof cars on standby to evacuate speakers.

However, police insisted all would remain calm. Police Commissioner Jürgen Mathies said: “The police here in Cologne are well prepared.

“I am confident that Cologne will experience a peaceful day, however, I should be quite clear. We will immediately and consistently intervene, if any hint of violence is evident.”

Police forces gather ahead of a rally of supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, as tensions over Turkey's failed coup put authorities on edge. Up to 30,000 people are expected to answer a call to take to the streets issued by a pro-Erdogan group, the Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD), according to police. / AFP / dpa / Henning Kaiser / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read HENNING KAISER/AFP/Getty Images)

HENNING KAISER/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a rally with German and Turkish flags on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, as tensions over Turkey's failed coup put authorities on edge. Police said some 20,000 people had joined in the demonstration staged by groups including the pro-Erdogan Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD). / AFP / dpa / Henning Kaiser / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read HENNING KAISER/AFP/Getty Images)

HENNING KAISER/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pray ahead of a rally on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, as tensions over Turkey's failed coup put authorities on edge. Police said some 20,000 people had joined in the demonstration staged by groups including the pro-Erdogan Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD). / AFP / DPA / Oliver Berg / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read OLIVER BERG/AFP/Getty Images)

OLIVER BERG/AFP/Getty Images

Just weeks ago, on July 15th, the Turkish president survived a coup attempt organised by secular generals in the army who accused him of interfering with the democratic process and Islamising the country.

Mr. Erdoğan has used the aftermath to consolidate his power by arresting and detaining more than 15,000 people and shutting down dozens of media organisations, including 45 newspapers and 16 television stations. Tens of thousands of journalists, university professors, public servants and police members have also been suspended.

Turks form the largest ethnic minority group Germany, with 1.55 million people still holding Turkish citizenship, and the lead up to the even saw skirmishes between backers and opponents of Erdogan in the Western Germany city.

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a rally on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, as tensions over Turkey's failed coup put authorities on edge. Police said some 20,000 people had joined in the demonstration staged by groups including the pro-Erdogan Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD). / AFP / DPA / Oliver Berg / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read OLIVER BERG/AFP/Getty Images)

OLIVER BERG/AFP/Getty Images

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 31: Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Cologne and surrounding cities are home to tens of thousands of people of Turkish descent. Erdogan has pursued strong-handed measures following the recent coup attempt by elements of the Turkish armed forces that include the shuttering of media outlets and the arrest of journalists as well as suspensions of ten of thousands of university professors, public servants and police members. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images

Pro-Erdogan activists stormed locations popular with followers of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of masterminding the putsch, while critics of the Turkish president have also complained of abuse and threats against them on social media.

In the past two weeks, Germany has been rocked by four violent attacks – three of which were committed by migrants, and two had links to Islamic State.

One Syrian “refugee” hacked a pregnant woman to death on the street. Another Syrian, who came from Bulgaria, blew himself up outside a music festival injuring 15, and a “refugee” attacked multiple people on a train just over a week ago.

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 31: Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Cologne and surrounding cities are home to tens of thousands of people of Turkish descent. Erdogan has pursued strong-handed measures following the recent coup attempt by elements of the Turkish armed forces that include the shuttering of media outlets and the arrest of journalists as well as suspensions of ten of thousands of university professors, public servants and police members. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 31: Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally at a gathering on July 31, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Cologne and surrounding cities are home to tens of thousands of people of Turkish descent. Erdogan has pursued strong-handed measures following the recent coup attempt by elements of the Turkish armed forces that include the shuttering of media outlets and the arrest of journalists as well as suspensions of ten of thousands of university professors, public servants and police members. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images)

Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images

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