EU, US to Turkey: No excuse to break democratic traditions

“We categorically reject the death penalty and an institution of the death penalty would mean an end to the negotiations to join the European Union”, he said.

Dr Klaas said both the Turkish regime and coup plotters understood the importance of the country’s relationship with the west in protecting their well-being and would therefore be unlikely to tear up global agreements, such as the deal on refugees.

He said he had told Turkey’s foreign minister “to make certain that in whatever portfolio and request they send us, they send us evidence, not allegations”.

Erdogan’s position, which the Turkish government will discuss with opposition parties, appeared to be a step too far for European Union ministers, even as the European Union faces a particularly tricky time with Turkey in the next three months.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has had a string of electoral victories since his party came to power in 2002, appears to have emerged stronger than ever after supporters rallied behind his government and helped rebuff an attempted coup last week.

“I would not expect a major impact, the way we saw a rush to safe assets after Brexit, but there will be questions raised about Turkey’s role”, said Keith Wade, chief economist at asset management company Schroders.

“NATO also has a requirement with respect to democracy, and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will indeed measure very carefully what is happening”, Kerry said Monday during a news conference in Brussels.

Turkey has detained some 6,000 people.

Several thousand prosecutors and judges have also been removed.

Turkey launched fresh raids and sacked nearly 9,000 officials Monday in a relentless crackdown against suspected coup plotters, with Erdogan vowing to wipe out the “virus” of the putschists after Friday’s coup attempt, which left more than 300 dead. Anadolu Agency says a total of 8,777 employees attached to the ministry were dismissed, including 30 governors, 52 civil service inspectors and 16 legal advisers.

Turkey blames the failed coup on Mr Fethullah Gulen, a cleric based in the United States who has a wide following in Turkey and denies involvement.

Among those facing questioning this week is former Air Force commander Gen. Akin Ozturk, who has been described as the ringleader of the foiled uprising.

They are now being taken to courts to decide on remanding them in custody.

Turkey has said it is putting together an extradition request for the cleric.

Marc Pierini, an expert on Turkey from the think tank Carnegie Europe, said it is likely core parts of the deal would still go ahead, despite post-coup instability.

Quoting unnamed sources, the Dubai-based broadcaster said Monday that the attache, Mikail Ihsanoglu, was on his way to Düsseldorf, Germany via Amsterdam when he was detained.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he’s ready to reinstate the death penalty if the Turkish people demand it and parliament approves the necessary legislation.

This is no excuse to take the country away from fundamental rights and the rule of law.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also called on Ankara to avoid steps that would damage the constitutional order.

Yildirim also said in his comments following a Cabinet meeting that reinstating the death penalty would require constitutional change.

So what affect will Turkey’s failed coup have on the region and beyond?

Erdogan and the government have said that Gulen’s followers in the military were responsible for the attempted take-over on Friday night and early Saturday morning.

The president added Turkey is “a democratic state run by rule of law”, and “you can not put aside the people’s demands”.