Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Turkey suspends more than 9,000 police officials on suspected Gulen links
Published in Daily News Egypt on 27 - 04 - 2017

DW- Turkish authorities suspended 9,103 police personnel on Wednesday as a part of an investigation into to last year's attempted military coup, according to a press release from the police.
This comes hours after Turkish authorities arrested more than a thousand "secret Imams" who they claim infiltrated Turkish police forces on behalf of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.
"One thousand and nine secret imams have been detained so far in 72 provinces, and the operation is ongoing," said Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly blamed the attempted coup on Gulen, who has denied the accusation. Turkey has been under a state of emergency since the attempted coup last July, which has given Erdogan and his cabinet the power to bypass parliament, and pass laws as well as hold suspects in jail for an extended time without being charged with a crime.
Countries around the world have expressed concerns the state of emergency has been used to round up political opponents along with potential coup conspirators. About 47,000 people have been arrested and about 120,000 have been fired or suspended from their professions in the nine months following the coup.
We are trying to cleanse Gulen supporters: Erdogan
Wednesday's suspensions and arrests come 10 days after Turkish voters supported a referendum to give Erdogan more sweeping control over the country. Opposition parties and European election observers have said the referendum vote was troubled by irregularities. Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP) said Wednesday it will challenge changes to the voting rules for Turkey's referendum at the European Court of Human Rights.
Erdogan told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday that the referendum was necessary to avert potential instability, be it from those associated with the coup or Islamist or Kurdish militants. Referendum opponents worry the vote pushes Turkey closer to an authoritarian state.
"In Turkey, there was an attempted coup with a goal of toppling the government and destroying the state," Erdogan told Reuters.
"We are trying to cleanse members of FETO inside the armed forces, inside the judiciary and inside the police," he added, using an acronym for what the Turkish government labels Gulen's supporters.
Germany condemns incarcerations
Sebastian Fischer, a spokesman for Germany's Foreign Ministry, said there should be an investigation into last year's attempted coup, but "the measures must adhere to the rule of law."
"We don't believe arresting 1,000 people so long after the putsch is really proportionate," Fischer added, referring to police arrests earlier Wednesday.
Relations between Germany and Turkey have soured in recent years, especially since the attempted coup. At least 18 Germans have been detained in Turkey since last July, with some still behind bars. Erdogan has refused to release German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel "as long as I am in power."


Clic here to read the story from its source.