Turkey: Erdogan expects parliament to restore capital punishment
Constitutional referendum is due to take place on 16 April
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Eskisehir, Turkey on 17 March 2017 (Anadolu)
Published date: 18 March 2017 11:04 GMT
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Last update: 7 years 8 months ago
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he expects parliament to approve restoring capital punishment after the April 16 referendum on expanding presidential powers.]"The families of the martyrs, the heroes [of last year's failed 15 July coup) don't need to worry," said Erdogan said on Saturday in a televised rally.
"I believe, God willing, that after the April 16 vote parliament will do the necessary concerning your demands for capital punishment."
He added that he would then sign the bill into law "without hesitation".
The move could terminate Ankara's bid to join the EU: abolition of the penalty is part of the organisation's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
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