Turkey has suspended more than 9,000 police officers over alleged links to Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen.
Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu said the officers were part of a group led by US-based cleric which operated a "parallel leadership structure within the police force".
The suspensions came after more than 1,000 alleged supporters of Gulen were arrested in the first large round-up of political opponents since the 16 April referendum, which granted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Soylu said 1,009 "covert imams" in 72 provinces had been taken into custody so far.
According to the New York Times, "about 45,000 people have already been taken into custody since the coup attempt" and a "sweeping purge of state institutions has led to the firing of about 130,000 people".
International observers have condemned the result of the recent referendum, which gives Erdogan the ability to appoint ministers and judges. It will also allow him to remain in office until 2029 and reintroduces the death penalty.
Two days after the referendum, Turkey's parliament extended a nine-month state of emergency by a further three months.
Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US, has been accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup against Erdogan.
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Kurdish PKK militia to disband for Turkey talksspeed read The Kurdistan Workers' Party will disarm after four decades of armed conflict with Turkey, putting an end to 'one of the longest insurgencies in the Middle East'
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
