Fears that turmoil in wake of failed coup could scupper crucial EU-Turkey migrant deal and lead to fresh wave of refugees from Middle East
If President Erdogan executes the soldiers involved in Friday night's coup then the migrant deal could be off
CHAOS in Turkey could mean a fresh flood of migrants coming in to Europe as the troubled country’s visa deal with the EU is on the brink.
Despite the efforts of the military on Friday night, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains in power meaning the migration deal between Turkey and the European Union currently still stands.
Under the terms of this deal Turkey pledges to stop migrants crossing the Aegean Sea to Europe and taking back migrants that have crossed over from its border illegally.
In exchange Turkey has been promised a deal where Turks will be allowed visa-free travel into European Union countries.
EU officials say whether this actually happens depends on how President Erdogan reacts in the aftermath of the attempted coup and how far he decides to crackdown on his opponents.
So far, more than 3,000 soldiers have been detained and some 2,700 judges have been sacked.
President Erdogan says parliament might consider a proposal to introduce the death penalty.
And he has accused US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the plot – this has been denied by Mr Gulen.
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EU foreign ministers will be discussing the end to visa-free requirements in Brussels tomorrow, with one official hinting the visa-free deal might not get the go ahead.
They said: “Erdogan will be judged on his response," saying the arrests of judges is an early sign that justified “deep concern that this will lead to a new trampling on rights of freedom of expression and demonstration".
EU officials say the visa-free deal may be off if Erdogan reintroduces the death penalty to execute the people involved in the attempted coup or tries to jail ethnic Kurdish parliamentarians, who were stripped of immunity in May.
But Turkish officials say if the deal collapses then the migrant crisis could return with Turkey allowing refugees to cross over to the Greek Islands and trek over open borders to Germany.
Official statements from the EU stressed backing for a democracy.
European Council President Donald Tusk said: “Turkey is a key partner for the European Union.
“The EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law."
And one official added: “This is not about supporting Erdogan or not, it is about supporting the rule of law and democracy.”
President Erdogan has described Friday’s military coup as a chance to “cleanse” the army and described the rebellion as a “gift from God”.
Turkish officials have warned 2,839 members of the army who have been arrested for the "black stain on Turkey's democracy" could face the death penalty as they consider reinstating capital punishment, while "many" military commanders have been taken hostage at the army HQ.
So far 265 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,400 injured in the night of bloody rebellion as the military attempted to overthrow the government.
Shocking photographs show armed civilians overpowering and beating soldiers as they take back control.
People have been seen celebrating after rebelling soldiers from the Turkish army surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.
Supporters of President Erdogan waved Turkish flags, cheered and mounted tanks left behind by the rebels as they celebrated their victory.
Plain-clothes policemen and armed civilians were seen embracing and cheering as more than a thousand soldiers were arrested.