Capital punishment not allowed by Turkish Constitution; special arrangements will be made for rebels: Turk PM

TURKEY (Web Desk) - Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has called all legislators for an emergency meeting that will be shedding light on legalities dealing with the punishment for rebels.

Currently, death penalty is not allowed under the Turkey's constitution and therefore a legal way will be devised to execute the rebels.

Forces loyal to Turkey’s president quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left at least 161 people dead and 1,440 wounded Saturday. Authorities arrested thousands as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that those responsible “will pay a heavy price for their treason.”

“They have pointed the people’s guns against the people. The president, whom 52 per cent of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people is in charge,” Erdogan told large crowds after landing at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 161 people were killed and 1,440 wounded in the violence, and 2,839 plotters were detained. A source at the office of the presidency, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, said the toll of 161 “excludes assailants” — which could mean the death toll is much higher.

Yildirim described the night as “a black mark on Turkish democracy” and said the perpetrators “will receive every punishment they deserve.”