Arrests, threats & EU warnings in the aftermath of failed Turkey coup

World Today

Arrests, threats & EU warnings in the aftermath of failed Turkey coup

As Turkey’s government continues conducting sweeping arrests in the aftermath of the July 15 failed coup attempt, international leaders are voicing concern over the government’s adherence to the law.

CCTV’s Stephanie Freid has the update.

Police officers, judges, military personnel and finance ministry staff were arrested, detained or dismissed after the coup. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says the purge is to clean out the country’s “systemic virus”.

But the sweep is setting off alarms among international leaders concerned the president is using the coup as a green light for clearing political opponents.

A step backwards – in the most extreme sense – President Erdogan’s renewed call for reinstating the death penalty as punishment for coup participants.

“My brothers, I believe that the government will talk about this issue with opposition parties and a decision will definitely be taken. And we cannot delay this decision much. Because those who stage a coup against the state should pay the price,” Erdogan said.

If the death penalty is brought back, Turkey’s bid for EU membership will be automatically rejected.


Adnan Zulfiqar discusses the coup in Turkey

For more about U.S.- Turkey relations following the July 15 failed coup, CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes talked to Adnan Zulfiqar, Sharswood fellow at University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Thousands of arrests in Turkey after failed coup