Turkey’s academics banned from leaving in Erdogan’s post-coup crackdown

Erdogan has led the Turkish government to launch a massive effort to root out remnants of the coup attempt since it failed.

“The aim of the declaration of the state of emergency is to be able to take fast and effective steps against this threat against democracy, the rule of law and rights and freedoms of our citizens”, Erdogan said.

Ankara says followers of Mr Gulen, who lives on a compound in the Pocono mountains of rural Pennsylvania, have infiltrated Turkey’s institutions and are running a “parallel state”.

Turkey has long sought his return from the United States to face trial at home over accusations of running a “terrorist organisation” seeking to overthrow Erdogan, his erstwhile ally.

All teachers’ annual leave has been cancelled and those overseas have been given hours to return to Turkey where they must report for work at 8.30am on Thursday. The eight, who deny involvement, have applied for asylum in Greece, saying they fear for their safety if they are returned.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the massive crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to Erdogan’s ally-turned-foe.

Yesterday, 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.

Erdogan also said he would approve a parliamentary measure to reinstate the death penalty even if it would jeopardize Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.

Erdogan made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday night in Ankara.

Also on Wednesday, Istanbul University ousted 95 professors and just one day earlier, the higher education board demanded that more than 1,500 deans resign from their university posts throughout Turkey.

Academics including university presidents were barred on Wednesday from traveling overseas until further notice, state-run Anadolu news agency reported, citing the Council of Higher Education. But he also suggested that the USA government shouldn’t require the facts before extraditing him. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

The White House has come out against the coup attempt and emphasized that Turkey has a “democratically-elected civilian government”, but has encouraged the Erdogan government to be lawful in its investigation.

Erdogan has blamed the foiled military intervention on supporters of US -based religious leader Fethullah Gulen.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed Tuesday an official request was sent to the United States for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a suspect linked to Friday’s coup attempt, according to state-run media.

More than 6,000 soldiers and around 1,500 others have been detained since the abortive coup.