Erdogan threatens to ‘chop off the heads’ of traitors in failed coup anniversary speech

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday threatened to “chop off the heads” of traitors, in a speech marking the first anniversary of the failed coup bid that aimed to oust him from power.

“First of all we will chop off the heads of those traitors,” Erdogan told a rally in Istanbul, prompting cries from the crowds that capital punishment should be restored in Turkey.

Reaffirming previous comments, he vowed to sign any bill passed by parliament to restore capital punishment in Turkey, a move that would effectively sever Ankara’s attempt to join the European Union.

“We are a state governed by rule of law. If it comes to me after parliament, I will sign it,” he said.

Erdogan also said the suspects being tried on suspicion of involvement in the failed coup should wear uniform clothing like the notorious orange jumpsuits used at US military prison at Guantánamo Bay.

“I spoke to the prime minister and ... when they appear in court, let’s make them appear in uniform suits like in Guantánamo,” Erdogan said.