President Erdoğan: Turkey's post-coup attempt actions in line with law

ANKARA

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Turkey has not compromised its laws even after the July 15 coup attempt, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on July 29.
       
Speaking at a ceremony at the presidential complex in Ankara to commemorate victims of the failed coup, Erdoğan said: "Even during the coup attempt process, we have not made the slightest compromise with the law. Every step we have taken, every decision we have made, every implementation we have launched, it has been under the constitution [and the country's] laws."        

He said post-coup attempt measures being carried out in the country's institutions such as the parliament, National Security Council (MGK), council of ministers and others ministries were in line with the law.        
"If deficiencies [and] mistakes stemmed from this extraordinary period occur, then a legal path is available," Erdogan said.        

During his speech, the president also shared latest figures of the victims in the failed coup.        

“On the night of July 15, a total of 237 people, including 170 civilians, 62 police officers and five soldiers were martyred. As of today, 2,191 people were injured.        

“We have an obligation to establish justice. What does everybody say? Death penalty, death penalty, death penalty. However, this is a democratic, constitutional state governed by a parliamentary system,” Erdoğan said.        

The president said the government needs to listen to people's demand for the death penalty. The parliament will discuss the issue and everybody has to abide by that last decision, he added.      
  
Erdogan also harshly criticized some countries for failing to offer any condolences regarding the failed coup and its victims.        

"The attitude of many countries and their officials over the coup attempt in Turkey is shameful in the name of democracy," Erdoğan said.

"Any country and any leader who does not worry about the life of Turkish people and our democracy as much as they worry about the fate of coupists are not our friends."

Asserting that July 15 should be a milestone for the country, the president said: "As a milestone, I hereby withdraw all the cases filed for insulting me and forgive all the offenders.      

"If we do not use this opportunity [to make the foiled coup a milestone], I believe the Turkish people will have the right to call us to account for it.        

"I believe that all the sections of the country, particularly politicians, will behave accordingly in this sensitive issue."        

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt was organized by U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen's followers.        

Gülen is also accused of running a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the “parallel state.”