Turkey’s President Says He Is Ready to Bring Back the Death Penalty

Associated Press
Updated
European officials say Turkey's bid to join the E.U. would end if Ankara restores the death penalty

(ANKARA) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he’s ready to reinstate the death penalty if the Turkish people demand it and parliament approves the necessary legislation.

Erdogan spoke early Tuesday to hundreds of supporters outside his Istanbul residence who were chanting for Turkey to restore capital punishment following the failed coup. Erdogan said Turkey is “a democratic state run by rule of law” and “you cannot put aside the people’s demands.” European Union officials say talks on Turkey’s bid to join the E.U. would end if Ankara restores the death penalty.

“Today is there no capital punishment in America? In Russia? In China? In countries around the world? Only in European Union countries is there no capital punishment,” Erdogan said.

He also said he planned to meet with his National Security Council on Wednesday.