Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
Trending
Truck shooting
India rape
Execution
Justin Timberlake
Japanese antibiotics
SpaceX
Helicopter crash
Lyft
LeBron James
Smart TVs
World News
July 19, 2016 / 12:27 PM / Updated July 19, 2016 at 12:50 PM

Turkey's Ministry of Education suspends 15,000, forces resignation of 1,500 university deans

By
Andrew V. Pestano
A veiled woman holds a Turkish flag during a demonstration in Istanbul in support the government on Saturday following a failed coup attempt. Turkey's Ministry of Education has suspended more than 15,000 education staff on accusations of having links to a cleric living in the United States who the Turkish government alleges organized a recent coup d'etat attempt. Photo by Hanna Noori/ UPI | License Photo

ANKARA, Turkey, July 19 (UPI) -- Turkey's Ministry of Education has suspended more than 15,000 education staff on accusations of having links to a cleric living in the United States who the Turkish government alleges organized last week's coup d'etat attempt.

Fethullah Gulen denies involvement in the Friday's failed coup attempt in which 232 people were killed and 1,541 were wounded. Gulen is a Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania in self-exile.

Turkey's high education board has also forced the resignation of more than 1,500 university deans. Since the coup attempt, Turkey's army, judiciary, security and civil services have been targeted by the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More than 6,000 military personnel have been arrested, including more than two dozen generals awaiting trial; 9,000 police officers have been fired; and 3,000 judges have been suspended.

RELATED Turkey reopens air base to resume U.S. airstrikes

RELATED Turkey arrests pilots who shot down Russian bomber; linked to failed coup

The Turkish media regulation agency on Tuesday revoked the licenses of 24 radio and television channels on accusations of having links to Gulen.

Turkey has also banned religious funerals for those accused of supporting the coup. Imams will be prohibited from performing services for "pro-coup soldiers who targeted our nation," Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate said Tuesday.

World leaders have urged Erdogan to use restraint and respect the constitution over fears he may act unconstitutionally after the coup attempt. Some officials fear Erdogan's hard-line response to the coup will lead him to use the incident to crack down on the opposition.

RELATED John Kerry denounces claims U.S. involved in attempted Turkish coup

Earlier on Tuesday, Erdogan said he supports reinstating the death penalty "if the people demand it" after the military's failed coup. Turkey's parliament plans to discuss reimplementation of the death penalty Wednesday.

RELATED Turkey's Erdogan would reinstate death penalty after coup 'if the people demand it'

RELATED Former Turkish air force chief confesses to planning coup, state-run media reports
  • Topics
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Latest Headlines

Saudi Aramco raises $25.6B in world's largest IPO
World News // 4 hours ago
Saudi Aramco raises $25.6B in world's largest IPO
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil monopoly Saudi Aramco sold 3 billion shares to raise $25.6 billion in the world's largest initial public offering Thursday.

Thousands die in Japan due to overuse of antibiotics, research shows
World News // 9 hours ago
Thousands die in Japan due to overuse of antibiotics, research shows
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- More than 8,000 people die annually from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Japan.

Edible coffee cups making a splash on Air New Zealand flights
World News // 10 hours ago
Edible coffee cups making a splash on Air New Zealand flights
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A small New Zealand company says it has partnered with the country's national air carrier to flight-test its innovative edible coffee cups made from a vanilla-flavored biscotti.

Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
World News // 10 hours ago
Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A 23-year-old woman headed to a rape case hearing in India on Thursday walked over half a mile screaming for help after being set on fire before a witness saw her.

Report: China, North Korea officials meet ahead of sanctions deadline
World News // 10 hours ago
Report: China, North Korea officials meet ahead of sanctions deadline
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Chinese and North Korean officials have been holding last-minute meetings ahead of a North Korea sanctions deadline, according to a South Korean press report.

South Korea's Moon Jae-in taps progressive ally for justice minister post
World News // 10 hours ago
South Korea's Moon Jae-in taps progressive ally for justice minister post
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A prominent South Korean lawmaker -- one of the few women in the National Assembly -- has been nominated to the position of justice minister.

At least 58 die as migrant boat sinks off Mauritania
World News // 13 hours ago
At least 58 die as migrant boat sinks off Mauritania
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A Gambia-based boat carrying about 150 migrants Wednesday heading for the Canary Islands sank as it approached Mauritania, killing at least 58 while others swam to shore, officials said.

U.S., South Korea end defense burden talks without agreement
World News // 13 hours ago
U.S., South Korea end defense burden talks without agreement
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The fourth round of negotiations over defense burden sharing between the United States and South Korea ended without a major agreement, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

3 British members of European Parliament quit Brexit Party
World News // 15 hours ago
3 British members of European Parliament quit Brexit Party
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Three British members of European Parliament resigned from the Brexit Party Thursday, vowing to back Prime Minister Boris Johnson's EU withdrawal plan and calling on Britons to vote Conservative in next week's election.

Anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu hospitalized with 'stubborn infection'
World News // 16 hours ago
Anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu hospitalized with 'stubborn infection'
Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Anti-apartheid activist and international human rights icon Desmond Tutu has been hospitalized in South Africa to treat a "stubborn infection," his foundation said.

Trending Stories

Tennessee governor says he won't intervene in Lee Hall's execution
Tennessee governor says he won't intervene in Lee Hall's execution
SpaceX launches 19th cargo mission to space station with robot aboard
SpaceX launches 19th cargo mission to space station with robot aboard
Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
Indian woman on way to rape case hearing set on fire
Washington, D.C., close to creating 1st office for deaf, hard of hearing
Washington, D.C., close to creating 1st office for deaf, hard of hearing
20 women sue Lyft alleging sexual assault by drivers
20 women sue Lyft alleging sexual assault by drivers

Photo Gallery

 
Moments from the 15th UNICEF Snowflake Ball
Moments from the 15th UNICEF Snowflake Ball

Latest News

State Dept: Iran regime may have killed 1,000 people during protests
Michael Pineda agrees to two-year, $20M deal with Minnesota Twins
Washington State extends head football coach Mike Leach through 2024
Uber report shows 3,045 sexual assaults, 67 deaths in 1.3B rides in 2018
Pittsburgh Steelers' James Conner out vs. Arizona Cardinals
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy