We’ve been covering the rise of tyranny in Turkey with considerable dismay ever since the failed coup attempt earlier this year. President Tayyip Erdogan has, without question, used the 24 hours of unrest as an excuse to consolidate his power and eliminate his perceived enemies. While roughly 100,000 people have been “detained” with their whereabouts unknown, the party line thus far has been that they are at least alive, though their condition is in question. But that may be about to take a turn for the worse. Though the death penalty has been officially banned in Turkey for years, Erdogan is pushing to have it revived so he can begin executing those who he views as a threat to his power. (Express UK)
Capital punishment was abolished in Turkey in 2004, as the state tried to gain access to the European Union. But after the failed attempt to overthrow Mr Erdogan on July 15, which left 294 dead and many injured, the penalty could now be reinstated.
Tens of thousands of people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been dismissed or detained in a relentless crackdown against the alleged plotters.
While the EU and a number of its member states have called on Turkey to act within the law, Mr Erdogan has so far failed to listen after announcing he plans to bring back the death penalty.
The European Union is already pushing back hard on this announcement, stating that such a move will endanger Turkey’s chances of joining the union. But does Erdogan really care at this point? He seems far more intent on fostering relations with Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela these days, and the EU is looking more and more like it’s coming apart at the seams anyway.
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Tyranny update: Turkey’s Erdogan seeks to begin executing his enemies https://t.co/AFOoGGjNAn
— HotAir.com (@hotairblog) October 31, 2016
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