Over 51,000 Turkish public employees suspended

By Ilkay Guder, Enes Duran

ANKARA

More than 51,000 people employed in state institutions have been suspended from their duties amid a nationwide probe into bloody July 15 coup attempt.

According to latest records, compiled by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, a total of 51,332 employees at state institutions and organizations have been suspended from their duties for allegedly having links to the failed coup.

Among ministries and public institutions discharging its staff since July 15 coup attempt are the Prime Ministry, National Education Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Culture and Tourism Ministry, Economy Ministry and Directorate General for Religious Affairs.

As many as 42,767 personnel removed from their posts account for teachers and education staff while staff including executives fired from departments related to the economy rose to 5,412 amid a national probe into the FETO coup attempt, according to the figures compiled by Anadolu Agency so far.

Meanwhile, the National Defense Ministry ousted more than 260 military judicial members.

The Gulen network is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, were martyred -- and nearly 2,200 injured -- during the putsch attempt.

* Anadolu Agency correspondent Ahmet Sait Akcay contributed to the report from Ankara.