MONTREAL: Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion pressed Turkey on Saturday to handle the aftermath of a coup attempt according to “fundamental principles of democracy.”
Speaking on the television network Radio-Canada after a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Canadian diplomatic chief said it was “important to avoid collect punishment” against those who organized the aborted coup that sought to seize power from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Democracy has been saved,” Dion said, after Turkish authorities wrested back control of the country Saturday.
“We must be discerning to ensure that those on trial have the chance to prove innocence or express their point of view according to the fundamental rules of justice we must aim to respect.”
