President Erdogan reasserts authority in Turkey
President Erdogan reasserts authority in TurkeyFlash90

An unknown armed assailant charged into the office of Cemil Candas, Deputy Mayor of Istanbul's Sisli district, and opened fire, leaving Candas in critical condition, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV.

It is as yet unclear if the shooting of the Jewish politician is connected with Friday night's failed coup against Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan, which resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.

Erdogan has begun a "purge" of the army and political spheres in Turkey, saying he will remove the "virus" of opposition to his rule, causing some experts to speculate that the coup, which was plagued by poor execution, was staged in order to enable the President to further consolidate power.

More than 7,000 people - including over 100 generals - have been arrested following the coup, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has suspended the annual leave of more than three million civil servants nationwide until further notice.