Mr Erdogan insisted that Turkey had a policy of “zero tolerance toward torture” and accused the London-based rights advocacy group of ignoring violence committed by the coup plotters during the July 15 attempt.
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The leader of the main secularist opposition CHP, which has condemned the coup and been supportive of the government’s reaction so far, said a state of emergency declared in its aftermath now risked being used to make sweeping changes to the security forces without appropriate parliamentary support. “There’s nothing on the visa issue either”, he added. “Unfortunately the West is supporting terrorism and stands by coup plotters”, he said in comments which were met with applause, and broadcast live.
Turkey and the European Union signed a controversial deal in March, in which Ankara agreed to take back Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in return for several incentives including €3bn ($3.4 bn) in funds and visa-free travel.
“From now on, everyone who continues to pay attention to the delusions of the charlatan, the chief terrorist, in Pennsylvania, has accepted in advance what will become of them”, Erdogan said during a speech at a religious council meeting in Ankara earlier Wednesday. Almost 70,000 people have been suspended from their jobs on suspicion of being involved in the movement, which runs schools, charities and businesses internationally.
But since striking a deal with Ankara, the numbers have stabilised to around 495 migrants per week, according to figures by the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees. He said German courts normally address cases very slowly, “yet the German Constitutional Court prohibited our president addressing the rally via teleconference in less than 24 hours”.
Germany’s Gabriel disputed that claim, saying the “decision not to allow the broadcast was absolutely OK and also lawful”.
All members of the soccer federation’s affiliated boards resigned two days ago amid a wide-ranging state investigation into the July 15 coup. But despite increasing indications that his followers were behind the failed military uprising, analysts say concerns about whether Gulen could get a fair trial complicate Turkey’s bid.
Jagland also met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, prime ministry sources said. And Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said Wednesday that there are documents linking Gulen’s movement to the attempted coup and that, as a panel of 70 Turkish judges assembles evidence, “a clearer picture will emerge and we will share it with the public”.
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Information for this article was contributed by staff members of The Associated Press.
