International

Tension in Turkey as failed coup plotters may face death penalty

Published

8 years ago

July 18, 2016

Tension in Turkey as failed coup plotters may face death penalty

There is palpable tension in Turkey following comments by president Recep Tayyip Erdogan who hinted that his country would consider reinstating the death penalty after a failed coup attempt to overthrow his government.

“In democracies, decisions are made based on what the people say. I think our government will speak with the opposition and come to a decision,” Erdogan said on Sunday, reacting to crowds in Istanbul calling for capital punishment.

“We cannot delay this anymore because in this country, those who launch a coup will have to pay the price for it,” he told supporters after attending funerals for victims of the coup attempt.

In 2004 Turkey ensured it abolished the death penalty under reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership.

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