Turkey Suspends 2,650 Religious Personnel Over Ties With Gulen

Sputnik News

17:11 09.08.2016

Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs suspended 2,650 employees on suspicion of having ties with Fethullah Gulen, Muslim cleric whom Ankara considers responsible for the failed military coup attempt in the country, local media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The suspended personnel comes from all ranks and levels, including foreign organizations, bringing the total number of suspended staff to 3,672, the Daily Sabah newspaper reported.

In early August, Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said that there were 25,917 people arrested, of whom 13,419 remained in custody, during the investigation into the July coup attempt.

On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. At least 246 people resisting the attempted coup died. The coup attempt was suppressed the following day.

Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the coup. Gulen, who has lived in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

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