Authorities said some 2,700 officers, including Turkish speakers, were in place across the city to head off any clashes between opposing groups.

"One thing I want to make clear is that we will intervene against any kind of violence quickly, decisively and forcefully," Cologne police chief Jürgen Mathies said.

Crowds began to gather in the morning for the event, which kicked off at 3 p.m. local time (1300 UTC).

The Union of European-Turkish Democrats (UETD) called Sunday's demonstration to protest the failed coup staged by a section of Turkey's military on July 15 that left more than 250 people dead.

There were five main rallies taking place across the city of Cologne

The attempted putsch has stoked tensions between supporters and opponents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan within Germany's 3 million-strong Turkish community.

Cologne police estimated 20,000 people had already gathered at the main pro-Erdogan rally in Deutz by 4 p.m. local time.

However, at least one rally near the city's central train station has been dispersed, according to the police.

Police later added that all rallies except for the one in Deutz ended by 6 p.m.

Erdogan banned

As well as the tens of thousands of pro-Erdogan protesters taking to the streets Sunday, police were bracing for at least four counterdemonstrations expected to attract 1,500 people each. A bid by police to prevent a far-right group from participating was rejected by a court in Münster late Saturday.

According to the UETD, representatives from different Turkish political parties, including the opposition, were scheduled to speak at the rally. Police said Turkey's sports minister was also expected to attend.

Organizers had also wanted to carry a live-stream video feed of Erdogan speaking from Turkey, but the head of a police issued a ban on such a broadcast, citing concerns it could cause the crowd to become overexcited.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin called the ban "unacceptable."

"The practical and legal effort to prevent an event that advocates democracy freedom and the rule of law and stands against the July 15 coup is a violation of the freedom of expression and the right to free assembly," Kalin said.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out to show their support for Erdogan following the failed coup

'Atmosphere of fear'

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged demonstrators to display moderation.

"It is not right to bring Turkey's domestic political tensions here ... and intimidate people who have other political convictions," he told the Saturday edition of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung."

The leader of the German Greens, Cem Özdemir, also criticized alleged attempts at intimidation ahead of the demonstration, telling newspapers of the Funke media group that critics of Erdogan in Germany's Turkish community were being targeted.

"An atmosphere of fear must not be created," he said.

Gokay Sofuoglu, the chairman of the TGD Turkish community in Germany, said families were being torn apart by conflicting loyalties. Ahead of Sunday's planned protest, he said, "I can only call for moderation."

Continued crackdown

Erdogan's government has detained thousands of officials in the military, judiciary, media and civil service in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt, which it blames on US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Western leaders have voiced alarm over the purges, and Erdogan's critics fear that he is using the coup as an excuse to consolidate his already tight grip on power.

Ahead of Sunday's march, Erdogan told foreign governments to keep out of Turkish affairs and "mind your own business."

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies 'Erdogan is our commander' Every night, they come out in droves to attend Ankara's "Democracy Watch" rallies. Like many here, 32-year-old Zeynip said she would continue showing her solidarity as long as Erdogan asked her to. "Soldiers follow their commander's orders," the mall employee said. "Erdogan is our commander in chief and are we are his soldiers." The photos don't show those who've been interviewed by DW.

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Unwavering, but uneasy support "If we need to, we will take time off from work to attend these rallies," said Saadet, a 31-year-old graduate student. "[Only Erdogan] can rule a volatile country like Turkey." Saadet, as well as others, didn't give her full name because she feared another coup attempt was being plotted and she would eventually be jailed for her comments.

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Erdogan hailed for improving health system When asked why he supported Erdogan, Cemal Kaya, a 21-year-old public management student, said Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) had improved Turkey's economic and social services. "Before [Erdogan] came, our hospitals were a mess and he worked to renovate and improve them," Kaya said, echoing sentiments widely held in the crowd. "Now our health system is much better."

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Protesting as trauma therapy Kaya, who had been near Ankara's Chief of Staff building when it came under helicopter fire, said attending the rallies was a way to relieve the stress from the night of the coup. "Our people went through a trauma and coming here is a kind of therapy for us to overcome the difficult moments we experienced," he said.

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Pushing for a political Islam Ismail, a 33-year-old civil engineer, said he supports Erdogan because he is bringing Turkey's government closer to the Islamic roots of society. "We don't want a constitution against secularism, but we want one with more space to accommodate Islam," Ismail told DW. "Turkey is the regional leader and our example will help the world embrace Islam."

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Perks for Erdogan supporters Free food, water and transportation is provided for those who attend the rallies, a point Selahattin Demirtas, chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), criticized on Saturday. "[Erdogan's] supporters are greeted with water and food when they protest the coup… but when our people protest against the military occupation in the southeast, they are greeted with water cannons."

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Gulen, Erdogan's enemy of the state An effigy of Fetullah Gulen hung from a noose, baring a sign reading: "Feto: Your crime is treason to the homeland." Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in exile in the US, has been accused of orchestrating the coup through a network of people who are believed to have infiltrated state institutions. In response, Erdogan initiated a purge to target his followers.

Erdogan supporters speak up at night rallies Purges continue So far, 60,000 people have been detained, arrested or sacked from their jobs. People here say they will get a fair trial. Sahin, a 34-year-old shop owner, dismissed international criticism. "Europe says Erdogan is authoritarian because they want to keep suppressing Turkey," he told DW. "Europe is afraid of our society. They know we will be a global power soon and that's why they criticize us." Author: Diego Cupolo, Ankara



ls,nm/jlw,rc (AFP, dpa, Reuters)