Turkish gov't intensifies efforts to purge Gülenists in judiciary, army
The Turkish government accelerated its crackdown on plotters of the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with the justice minister saying Sunday that 6,000 people had been detained in the investigation, including three of the country's top generals and hundreds of soldiers.
In addition to those mentioned by Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, dozens of arrest warrants have been issued for judges and prosecutors deemed to be government opponents.
The government has also dismissed nearly 3,000 judges and prosecutors from their posts, while investigators were preparing court cases to send the conspirators to trial on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
"The cleansing (operation) is continuing. Some 6,000 detentions have taken place. The number could surpass 6,000," Bozdağ said in televised comments.
Elsewhere, the General Staff issued a statement on Sunday indicating that the military is on duty at the state's command. "Our people have the biggest role in preventing this traitorous attempt," the statement read, adding that the coup plotters are dismantled as of now.
A government official said autopsies have been completed on 165 people, including 115 reclaimed by their families. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Forty policemen, including twin brothers, were killed when the renegade soldiers attacked a Special Forces station in Ankara.
Security forces on Sunday rounded up 52 more military officers for alleged coup links. The state news agency Anadolu said a detention order has been issued for 110 judges and prosecutors in Istanbul alone for their alleged involvement with the group reportedly responsible for the failed coup.
Elsewhere, those behind bloody coup attempt, Air Forces commander and Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) member, General Akın Öztürk, was detained and brought to the counterterrorism unit in Ankara for questioning on Sunday. Erdoğan's chief aide-de-camp Colonel Ali Yazıcı was also detained in the same day.
The suspects are being charged with "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "attempting to overthrow the government of the Turkish Republic using force and violence or attempting to completely or partially hinder its function." The agency said 58 homes of prosecutors and judges have been searched. Officials say 2,745 judges and prosecutors across the country have been dismissed.
In addition to those mentioned by Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, dozens of arrest warrants have been issued for judges and prosecutors deemed to be government opponents.
The government has also dismissed nearly 3,000 judges and prosecutors from their posts, while investigators were preparing court cases to send the conspirators to trial on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
"The cleansing (operation) is continuing. Some 6,000 detentions have taken place. The number could surpass 6,000," Bozdağ said in televised comments.
Elsewhere, the General Staff issued a statement on Sunday indicating that the military is on duty at the state's command. "Our people have the biggest role in preventing this traitorous attempt," the statement read, adding that the coup plotters are dismantled as of now.
A government official said autopsies have been completed on 165 people, including 115 reclaimed by their families. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Forty policemen, including twin brothers, were killed when the renegade soldiers attacked a Special Forces station in Ankara.
Security forces on Sunday rounded up 52 more military officers for alleged coup links. The state news agency Anadolu said a detention order has been issued for 110 judges and prosecutors in Istanbul alone for their alleged involvement with the group reportedly responsible for the failed coup.
Elsewhere, those behind bloody coup attempt, Air Forces commander and Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) member, General Akın Öztürk, was detained and brought to the counterterrorism unit in Ankara for questioning on Sunday. Erdoğan's chief aide-de-camp Colonel Ali Yazıcı was also detained in the same day.
The suspects are being charged with "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "attempting to overthrow the government of the Turkish Republic using force and violence or attempting to completely or partially hinder its function." The agency said 58 homes of prosecutors and judges have been searched. Officials say 2,745 judges and prosecutors across the country have been dismissed.
Last Update: July 18, 2016 02:56