Incredible security footage shows the moment a protester is nearly run over by two tanks during the recent coup attempt in Turkey last Friday.
In closed-circuit TV video obtained by the Associated Press a person runs out into a road in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and begins hurling stones at the fast-approaching military vehicles before he dives between the tanks track’s.
READ MORE: Justin Trudeau preoccupied with state of democracy in Turkey after coup
A soldier can be seen on the top of the tank briefly looking around before the tank slowly drives off.
As the man stands up, apparently unharmed, another tank bears down on him and he quickly jumps between the tank’s tracks again. A crowd of people are then seen rushing to his aid.
VIDEO GALLERY: On-going coverage of the Turkey coup attempt
Turkish media have identified the man in the video as 34-year-old Sabri Unal. His story immediately drew comparisons to images of the iconic “tank man,” a protester who stepped infront of a tank during China’s 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Officials in Turkey say at least 260 people were killed in the violence surrounding the failed overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government July 15.
READ MORE: Turkey bombs Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq after failed military coup
Turkey has now fired or suspended about 50,000 teachers, journalists, police and judges as authorities continue to hunt for those believed to be responsible.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday he has urged Turkey to respect the rule of law as it moves against alleged plotters of its failed coup.
“Coups are not a good thing,” Trudeau said at an Ottawa-area event.
“We are preoccupied at the same time that democratic institutions and the constitution of Turkey be respected, and that the rule of law continues,” he added.
“We need to make sure that all those who will be arrested related to his coup will have the opportunity to defend themselves in a robust and legitimate trial. And those are preoccupations that we’ve communicated to the Turks regarding this.”
*With files from the Canadian Press