The leaders of the largest factions of the European Parliament urged the European Union to halt the talks with Turkey on its membership in the union, Lenta reports, citing Reuters.

“Our message to Turkey is very clear: accession negotiations should be frozen immediately,” said Manfred Weber, the head of the largest faction of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).  

“We want to freeze the accession talks,” said the leader of the socialist group, Gianni Pitella.  

The parliamentarians reason their position by mass human rights violations during the persecutions of Turkish citizens and sacking in state structures, which have been launched in the country since the failed coup attempt on July 15.