“The EU recalls that the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an essential element of the Union acquis [legal codex]”, foreign ministers said in a joint statement in Brussels on Monday (18 July).
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“A country with the death penalty can not be a member of the EU”, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin on Monday, according to AFP.
On Sunday Erdogan told supporters that Turkey could consider reintroducing the death penalty, which it had abolished in 2004 as part of its longstanding European Union membership bid.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says rule of law must prevail in Turkey at a time the government is rounding up suspects.
“We have been the first to stress the need. for having the legitimate institutions protected against the attempt of a coup”.
How the Turkish government handles the coup’s supporters will actually be a “test for Turkey, ” Angela Merkel’s coalition partner and Bavarian leader noted, saying it’s important that Ankara stick to the rule of law. He said, “We can not delay this decision too much”.
There were harsh words for Erdogan from Austria too, whose foreign minister described bringing back capital punishment as “absolutely unacceptable” in a country hoping to join the EU. Arrest warrants were also issued for 250 judges and prosecutors, and 2,745 judges were dismissed from their posts over the weekend.
The US would do “nothing whatsoever to stand in the way of a legitimate process” respecting its extradition treaty with Turkey, Kerry said.
Reports had said that a total of 36 generals had been detained so far.
Germany also warned Turkey against reinstating the death penalty, as it blasted “revolting scenes of caprice and revenge” in the wake of a failed coup attempt.
Akin Ozturk, a former Turkish air force commander, told the state-run Anadolu news agency that he had planned the events. “Because those who stage a coup against the state in this country should pay the price for it”.
They are likely to request a one- or two-day postponement during Monday’s court appearance.
Almost 500 Turks in Greece’s western Thrace region met in Alexandroupoli, where a helicopter used by eight coup plotters landed to request political asylum after the putsch was defeated.
The top American diplomat said Turkey must ‘uphold the highest standards for the country’s democratic institutions and the rule of law’. Beyond the detentions, one Turkish government minister even claimed US complicity in the violence.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders says Turkish authorities’ reaction to the failed coup needs to be “proportionate”.
The coup plotters sent warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities on Friday night. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules. More than 200 people were killed and more than 1,500 wounded.
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These patrol flights are aimed at ensuring “security and airspace control”, the Turkish agency said.
