Hundreds more court officials sacked in Turkey
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hundreds more court officials sacked in Turkey, 1 September 2016, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a7e7.html [accessed 25 September 2016] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 01, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (file photo)
Turkey's top judicial board has dismissed 543 more judges and prosecutors, bringing the number of sackings since July's failed coup to more than 3,200.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on September 1 that the purge would "enhance" the judiciary's independence.
The Turkish authorities have removed about 80,000 people from public duties for what they say are suspected links to the coup plotters.
Many of them have also been detained for questioning since July 15, including judges, prosecutors, soldiers, police officers, and journalists.
The government blames the coup on followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who denies any involvement.
More than 270 people died in events surrounding the coup attempt.
The European Union and the United States have expressed concerns that the mass arrests and crackdown on political dissent have targeted individuals simply because they are political opponents of Erdogan.
Based on reporting by Reuters, Anadolu, and the BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
