By Selma Kasap and Yildiz Aktas 

Four university rectors in Turkey were suspended from duty on Wednesday, the country’s Council of Higher Education said. 

The heads of Gazi, Dicle, Yalova and Yildiz Technical universities were suspended to safeguard the integrity of an ongoing investigation, the council said in a statement.

The move is seen as being linked to Friday’s attempted coup, which has led to the suspension of tens of thousands of public employees in the military, police, education sector and civil service.

The council also said it approved the resignations of 1,577 deans -- 1,176 at state universities and 401 at private institutions. New deans will be appointed soon, the statement added.

On Tuesday, the council demanded the resignation of every university dean in the country.

The government has said the failed coup, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people, was staged by the supporters of U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state.