There is no official figure, but Turkish media are estimating the number of people at a massive rally in Istanbul in the millions, saying it could be the largest in the country’s history.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently addressing the crowd, honoring the 240 people who died during a failed coup last month and saying that he is not opposed to imposing the death penalty.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his wife Emine wave to the crowd during a rally in Istanbul, Sunday, August 7, 2016. (AP/Emrah Gurel)
“If the parliament accepts the reintroduction of death penalty, I will accept it,” he tells the crowd, according to Turkish news site Hurriyet. “If the people want death penalty, I think the political parties will also accept it.”
The rally is being held under the flag of unity, with opposition parties also there to praise Turkish democracy.
“July 15 has opened the door for our reconciliation,” said main opposition Republican People’s Party Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu says. “There is now a new Turkey after July 15. If we can further this power, this culture of rapprochement, we will all be able to leave our children a great Turkey.”
— with AP
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