Over 47,000 state workers suspended amid coup probe

By Ilkay Guder

ANKARA (AA) – More than 47,000 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 Tuesday, 47,188 employees at state institutions and organizations have been suspended from their duties for allegedly having links to the failed coup.

Two ambassadors working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, Gurcan Balik and Tuncay Babali, have been suspended from their duties, while the Ministry of Economy has temporarily suspended 15 employees.

Twenty-two personnel at the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) have been suspended from their duties, while 529 people at agencies linked to the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication have been suspended.

Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) also suspended its 170 employees while 58 personnel working in the authority’s support service have also been suspended.

The Turkish Radio and Television Association (TRT) suspended 300 personnel, while the country’s highest TV authority, the Radio and Television Supreme Council suspended 29 personnel.

TURKSAT Company, communications satellite operator of the country, has also canceled work agreement of its 29 employees.

Turkey’s treasury has suspended its 62 personnel including two general directors, one deputy director general and five head of departments.

Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs has also suspended 197 people from their duties.

As part of a nationwide probe against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the Ministry of National Education has announced that 42,767 of its civil servants have been suspended from their duties, and 21,029 of them were from Ministry of National Education.

The Ministry of Defense said 262 military judge and prosecutors have been suspended from their duties, while the Ministry of Development has laid off its 82 personnel over alleged FETO links.

Moreover, 167 personnel at the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization have been suspended from their duties, while the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology has fired its 560 employees.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policies has also suspended 599 people from their duties, while the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Prime Ministry has laid off 1,112 personnel including department heads, provincial muftis and imams over FETO link.

Moreover, 139 personnel working at the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI), eight employees working at the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority (TAPDK) have been suspended from their duties.

Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) has also fired its 21 personnel while the Directorate of Privatization Administration (OIB) suspended 23 personnel from their duties.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,100 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen 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.

*Ilker Girit contributed to this story from Istanbul.