Erdogan Targets Educators As Post-Coup Purge Continues in Turkey

President Barack Obama and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the status of US -based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkish authorities for masterminding a recent failed coup, during a call on Tuesday, the White House said. A state of emergency will, in theory, allow the Erdogan government to tighten its grip even further.

More than 58,000 soldiers, police officers, judges, teachers and government workers have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation since the failed military coup in Turkey, it has emerged.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s High Education Board has ordered the resignation of 1,577 deans at all universities – both public and private – across the country, state broadcaster TRT reported.

Erdogan defended the declaration after a meeting with his cabinet and national security council.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest commented cautiously on the matter Tuesday, telling reporters that the Department of Justice and the State Department will review materials submitted by the Turkish government concerning Gulen’s status, “consistent with the requirements of the extradition treaty between the United States and Turkey”.

“Fetullah terrorist organisation had a parallel organisation within the state and every step they have taken in making the attempt and failed coup, I don’t think we have come to the end of it yet”.

US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen has urged Washington to reject Turkey’s efforts to extradite him and labelled as “ridiculous” the claim he was behind an attempted coup.

But at the same time, we are concerned that the democratic institutions, Turkey’s constitution, are respected; that the rule of law continues.

Some opposition media websites were blocked following Friday night’s coup attempt, which was quashed by security forces loyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The pro-government death toll in the botched coup has been estimated at 246.

The deadly coup attempt began late on Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country’s democratically elected government. The eight, who deny involvement, have applied for asylum in Greece, saying they fear for their safety if they are returned.

He lashed out at other critics, among them Egyptian leader Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, whom Erdogan called a “coup plotter” who has killed thousands.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees and demanded the resignation of nearly 1,600 deans from private and state universities over alleged links to Gulen.