Turkish president slams EU ‘dictatorship’ against refugee crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of “dictatorship” and “cruelty” over a recent wave of refugees fleeing widespread violence in their home countries.

Addressing an audience attending a short film competition titled "Mercy and Justice" in Istanbul, Erdogan said European nations had "no mercy and no justice."

The Turkish president has already thrown into doubt the future of a deal with the EU which would allow Turkish citizens visa-free travel in Europe

Erdogan has suggested that Turkey wouldn't meet a EU demand for his country to reform its anti-terrorism legislation.

His harsh words against the EU came after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who negotiated the deal, announced he would step down later this month following a rift with Erdogan.

Europe is facing an unprecedented influx of refugees who are fleeing conflict-ridden zones in Africa and the Middle East, particularly Syria.

Over 183,000 asylum seekers have reached Europe via the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the latest figures by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

SS