Turkey suspends 2 diplomats over coup probe

By Ecenur Colak and Sultan Cogalan

ANKARA (AA) - Two Turkish senior diplomats were suspended on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation against Gulenist Terror Organization, or FETO, held responsible for the July 15 coup attempt.

Gurcan Balik and Tuncay Babali carried out various duties at Turkish Foreign Ministry and also served as ambassadors.

Speaking to journalists in Ankara, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said precise investigation has been carried out to avoid any injustice.

Cavusoglu previously said ambassadors with suspected links to FETO would be suspended from their duties.

More than 44,000 people employed in state institutions have been suspended from their duties so far amid a nationwide probe into deadly coup attempt.

The Ministry of National Education announced earlier that over 21,000 civil servants working at the ministry were suspended, most of whom were teachers.

The Ministry of Defense said 262 military judges and prosecutors were suspended while 529 people at agencies linked to the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications were also suspended.

Dozens of others have been suspended from the other ministries.

They are all suspected of having links to the failed coup, which martyred 246 people and left thousands of others wounded.