Erdogan on Coup Plotters: People Say They Should Be Executed

The President of Turkey, in an interview with CNN, stated that the 'people' of the country demand that the perpetrators of the failed coup 'should be killed.' Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the coup plotters from the previous Friday and Saturday as 'terrorists' and said in his interview on Monday, July 18, that 'people in the streets have made this request... People believe that these terrorists should be killed.' He further quoted 'the people' of Turkey, saying, 'Why should I keep them in prison for years to come and feed them?... This is what the people say.' Erdogan's remarks in the CNN interview reflect opinions he has expressed over the past two days following the failed coup in Turkey. One day before the interview aired, during a speech in Istanbul to his supporters who chanted 'execution, execution,' he said, 'The people's request cannot be ignored... This is your right.' However, Erdogan added, '[But] do not forget that we are not seeking revenge.' Turkey has suspended the death penalty for over 10 years. The suspension of the death penalty is one of the most important human rights principles for joining the European Union, which Turkey has been trying to join, and reforms in its political and judicial system have been made in this context. In the CNN interview, the Turkish president stated that the decision regarding the death penalty lies with the parliament, where the 'Justice and Development Party' holds the majority, and its main figure, Mr. Erdogan, has been in power for 13 years first as prime minister and then as president. Erdogan said he would not oppose any decision made by the parliament regarding the reinstatement of the death penalty. Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, stated that the return of the death penalty would mean the end of Turkey's potential accession to the EU. She said, 'Let me make this clear: no country that executes the death penalty can become a member of the European Union.' During the past Friday and Saturday, a group of military personnel attempted a coup in Turkey, which failed. Over 260 people were killed during the 24 hours of the coup attempt. Following these events, thousands of military and judicial personnel and some police members have been arrested in Turkey, a group of army commanders have been detained, thousands of police officers, and dozens of government officials, including a group of governors, have been dismissed. Some senior European officials have expressed concern about the Turkish government's reactions to this situation. The Turkish president said on Sunday that the 'purge' would continue.