Turkish authorities expel more than 3,900 from civil service in latest purge

[rooster59]

Turkish authorities expel more than 3,900 from civil service in latest purge

 

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wave national flags as they wait for his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish authorities have expelled more than 3,900 people from the civil service, military and gendarmerie, the government said in its Official Gazette on Saturday, in what appears to be the latest large-scale purge related to last year's failed coup.

 

The expelled included prison guards, clerks, academics, and employees of the religious affairs ministry, all of whom were suspected of links to "terrorist organisations and structures presenting a threat to national security" the government said.

 

It is the second large-scale purge since the narrow victory of an April 16 referendum giving President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping powers. On Wednesday more than 9,000 police personnel were suspended and another 1,000 detained for alleged links to the network of the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for the failed coup.

 

Some 1,127 employees of the justice ministry, including prison guards and clerks, 484 academics, and 201 employees from the religious affairs directorate, the government said on Saturday.

 

Some 120,000 people have already been suspended from jobs ranging from the civil service to the private sector, and more than 40,000 arrested, following last year's failed coup.

 

Mass detentions immediately after the attempted coup were supported by many Turks, who agreed with Erdogan when he blamed Gulen for orchestrating the putsch which killed 240 people, mostly civilians. But criticism mounted as the arrests widened.

 

Relatives of those detained or sacked since July say they have nothing to do with the armed attempt to overthrow the government, and are victims of a purge designed to solidify Erdogan's control.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-30

[Tchooptip]

Welcome to the middle aged Turkey.

[Ulic]

And all their jobs will soon be filled by Erdogan supporters.

[Morch]

3 hours ago, Ulic said:

And all their jobs will soon be filled by Erdogan supporters.

 

I don't think so. Or at least, gonna take some time. The last purges, following the coup attempt were on a wider scale, and not all posts have been filled since. A similar situation occurred years back, when Erdogan purged the ranks among the military. You can't just land anyone in any post. Not that all organizations purged were preforming ideally prior, but this will probably not improve on things.

Edited April 30, 2017 by Morch

[Andaman Al]

Isn't this a little bit how Pol Pot started? Getting rid of the academics, teachers, police, judiciary. He seems kind of like Trump, gets all his support from people that can barely read and write. The Middle Ages indeed.

[boomerangutang]

He keeps degenerating.  Sad times for most Turks.

[boomerangutang]

Turkey has now blocked Wikipedia:

 

npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/29/526184731/turkey-blocks-wikipedia-accusing-it-of-running-smear-campaign

 

There's are definite similarities between Erdogon, Trump, Duterte, Mugabe.   It's like we're going through a period, not unlike 1940's, of particularly egregious heads of state.  I hope it doesn't get worse.

 

As for Thailand, ......jeez Louise, there are too many downward slides to list here.  I don't want to get carpal tunnel. 

[55Jay]

Blocking Wikipedia.  Now there's a good idea.

[Stargeezr]

This is just the start of the New Turkey of Erdogon, the newest Emperor.

Of course he will only call himself ruler for life, or something like that.

Glad I do not live in or near that country.

Geezer

[The Deerhunter]

On 4/30/2017 at 8:30 PM, boomerangutang said:

He keeps degenerating.  Sad times for most Turks.

Turkey, North Korea and Philippines.  A presidential axis of evil?  Sad and trying times we live in.

[Andaman Al]

35 minutes ago, The Deerhunter said:

Turkey, North Korea and Philippines.  A presidential axis of evil?  Sad and trying times we live in.

You missed out Iran and the USA.

[The Deerhunter]

11 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

You missed out Iran and the USA.

You are right.  I was going to say they were in a class of their own but now I am not so sure that is true.

Edited May 2, 2017 by The Deerhunter