20 July 2016•Update: 21 July 2016
By Burcu Calik and Yildiz Nevin Gundogmus
ANKARA
Seventy staff members at Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Urbanization were suspended Wednesday, a ministry official said, in the latest move against civil servants and others suspected of links to Friday’s failed coup.
The majority -- 52 -- were from the land registry, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. Senior figures such as general directors were among those suspended as well as officials from the ministry’s legal and inspection teams.
An investigation is underway in the ministry, the source added.
At least 240 people were killed and around 1,500 injured in the attempted coup, which has led to a crackdown on potential supporters of Fetullah Gulen believed to be behind the takeover bid.
A wave of arrests and suspensions has hit the military, judiciary, police, civil service and teachers. The government has said the plot was organized by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, which is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state.
