Turkish Justice Minister denies amnesty plans

“Announcement on the fabricated amnesty debate that has been carried out over a fake decree with the force of law for the past two days: There are no efforts on an amnesty. News/comments, unfounded,” Bozdağ posted on his official Twitter account on Aug. 11. 

The ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) deputy chair, Hayati Yazıcı, also dismissed the claims, saying the issue was not on the government’s agenda.

“This issue has not been brought to the agenda yet. Where is all this coming from - we are also following it with surprise,” Yazıcı said, adding an amnesty was out of the question.

“Let me say it once more and more clearly: Amnesty is not on our agenda or our minds. Such a thing cannot happen. It is neither on the party’s agenda nor on the government’s agenda.” 

Debates of a general amnesty emanated from a nationwide crackdown against members of the outlawed Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which was accused of orchestrating the July 15 failed coup attempt. According to remarks by Interior Minister Efkan Ala, nearly 76,100 civil servants were suspended from duty while 5,171 were detained and another 16,899 were arrested. The discussion around amnesty suggested prisons were too crammed for all the detainees.