Turkey slams Egypt for mass death penalties

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu yesterday condemned Egypt for sentencing 529 anti-coup Egyptians, including Muslim Brotherhood leaders and members, to death.

“This decision shows the consequences of the military coup in Egypt,” he said. “This shows how the coup authorities in Egypt are against democracy and far away from rights.”

Davutoğlu added: “This development in the Egyptian issue is very sad.”

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the decision and criticised the West for being silent over the penalties.

Addressing crowds of people in the Turkish capital Ankara, Erdogan said: “Those who call us ‘dictators’ should look at Egypt. They have sentenced 529 Muslim Brotherhood members to the death.”

He added: “The death penalty does not comply with EU human rights laws and rules – so why is Europe so silent against the decision?”