Turkey coup: purge widens to the education sector

Turkey has stepped up its purge on thousands on members of the security forces, judiciary, civil service and academia following Friday’s coup attempt.

More than 15,000 education staff have been suspended and deans across the country have been ordered to step down.

Ankara has vowed to root out those who support Fethullah Gulen, a US based cleric it blames for the failed military takeover.

“The president pledged any needed assistance to the Turkish government as they conduct and investigation to determine exactly what happened. The president’s expectation is that people from Turkey want to see a full investigation and accountability for those who are complicit”. said Josh Earnest, White house spokesman.

More than fifty thousand soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended or detained since last weekend’s failed coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also called on the parliament to consider applying the death penalty for the plotters.

Erdogan has vowed to clean the “virus” responsible for the plot from all state institutions.
Some Western leaders have voiced concern he is using the opportunity to firm his grip on power.