The leader of the opposition party Devlet Bahceli reiterated his party’s “unconditional support” for a return of the death penalty following July’s attempted coup and criticized the governing Justice and Development (AK) Party for dragging its feet on bringing back hanging.
Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 but since the July 15 defeated coup, in which 248 people were killed, there have been calls for it to be reintroduced. Erdogan has said he would ratify any such bill presented by parliament.
The EU has warned that reinstating capital punishment would automatically end Turkey’s bid to join the union.