Turkish President Bekir Bozdag’s comments “Instructions for us”
THE Turkey will review a 2004 decision to repeal it death penaltythe Minister of Justice announced today, after the reference to the sentence made by President Erdogan in connection with this week’s forest fires.
The death penalty was abolished by the Constitution in its early years Erdogan government. But following the recent fire at the Marmaris tourist resort, Erdogan said tougher sentences were needed.
Authorities have said a detainee in connection with the fire confessed to causing it. Authorities today announced that the fire in Marmadida has been brought under control.
After visiting the site of the fire yesterday, Erdogan said the punishment for arsonists should be “Intimidating and if that requires the death penalty, then it will be the death penalty.”
Speaking to reporters in Agri, eastern Turkey, today, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag described the presidential comments as “instructions for us”.
“We have started working on it in the ministry”, He added that the current punishment for arsonists is ten years in prison and increases to a possible life sentence if arson is part of organized crime.
The first fire of the summer in the country started on Tuesday.
The Minister of the Interior Suleiman Soilou said on Thursday that the detainee admitted to setting the forest on fire out of desperation due to family problems.
Forest Minister Vahit Kirisci said yesterday that 88% of forest fires in Turkey were caused by humans.
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