Turkish president Erdogan backs return of the death penalty for coup plotters at massive Istanbul rally
Huge crowds waving red and white flags cheer for president just weeks after attempted coup
TURKEY’S President has vowed to continue the fight against those who organised a military coup, including by re-introducing the death penalty, after the attempted rebellion almost one month ago.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan garnered the support of the huge, flag-waving rally just weeks after the July 15 attempted coup on the weekend.
He told the crowd, reported to be made up of more than one million people, that he had thrown his energy into finding those involved in the coup and taking action against them.
President Erdogan said: “As a state and as a nation we need to analyse the July 15 coup attempt very well. We need to evaluate well not just those who engaged in this treachery, but the powers behind them, the motives that made them take action.
“Of course we have to uncover all members of this organization and eradicate them within the framework of the law, but if we content ourselves with just that, then we as a state and a nation will leave weak our defence against similar viruses.”
Erdogan said he would throw his support behind the reintroduction of capital punishment if a bill was to approach parliament.
The death penalty was abolished in Turkey in 2004, 20 years after the last execution.
But while the European Union have said a reintroduction of capital punishment would put an end to Turkey's prospects of joining the bloc, the government launched a sweeping crackdown in the coup's aftermath, targeting followers of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the President has vehemently said orchestrated the putsch.
Gulen has denied being involved in the coup.
Almost 18,000 people were detained or arrested, mostly from the military, with tens of thousands of people suspended or dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.
Erdogan said: “July 15 showed our friends that this country isn't just strong against political, economic and diplomatic attacks, but against military sabotage as well. It showed that it will not fall, it will not be derailed.”
“Those wringing their hands on that night hoping for Turkey to fall woke up the next day to realize their work was much harder than they thought.”
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The scope of the crackdown has alarmed European countries and rights groups, who have urged restraint.
But Erdogan has not backed down from his hard stance, whipping up support for his leadership at the rally and calling for Gulen's extradition from the US and complaining about the lack of support from the West.
He spoke from a 200-foot stage framed by two platforms and draped with massive national flags and banners depicting Erdogan and Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" was billed as a cross-party event representing Turkish unity in the wake of the failed coup, in which a group of renegade military officers attempted to seize power with tanks, helicopters and fighter jets, leaving more than 270 people dead.
"We will continue on our road in solidarity. We will love each other not for rank or title, but for Allah," Erdogan said.
The event kicked off with a minute of silence for those killed while opposing the coup, followed by the Turkish national anthem and a recitation of prayers.
Nearly 15,000 police were providing security at the event. Anti-aircraft batteries were also set up at the event grounds, while two helicopters circled overhead.
Thousands of buses and more than 200 boats were commissioned to bring people to the area, where they passed through one of 165 metal detectors before being given hats and flags. Those wounded during the attempted coup and the families of those who died were given special passes for a seated area.
