While Turkey was only a half-democacy before, the current situation is far worse than in the 90's up until about 2008. Post-coup era 80's can maybe a good comparison, but the generals did leave power on their own, and free elections did take place. They won't now, for the foreseeable future.
I was in Turkey during that time, it was noy better for the bast majority of people. Turkey had a per capita gdp <$3k and i vividly recall seeing shoeless people even in the wealthiest areas of Istanbul. Totally changed today, Turkey is richer (per capita) than many EU member states.
The funny thing is, many people there believe that Turkey is one of the most advanced economies. The propaganda machine is amazingly successful. The person you are replying to has access to all the information to see how wrong those arguments are, yet simply ignores everything. I said funny but I mean more like a tragicomedy.