Turkish top court starts proceedings against 2 members

By Aylin Sirikli

ANKARA

Turkey’s Constitutional Court on Monday opened disciplinary proceedings to suspend two of its members, who were detained after failed coup attempt on late Friday, legal sources said on Monday.

Two members of Turkey’s highest court, Alparslan Altan and Erdal Tercan, were detained by the police after late Friday's coup attempt that sought to overthrow the country’s democratically elected government.

The sources told Anadolu Agency on Monday that a rapporteur has been appointed to investigate the two members’ involvement in the coup attempt.

The rapporteur will prepare a report, which will be submitted to the Constitutional Court's General Assembly.

If the General Assembly agrees to proceed with an investigation, then three committee members will conduct it.

The General Assembly will then gather again after the report of this committee and give the final judgment about the two members including suspension.

Turkey's Interior Ministry said that a total of 8,777 personnel were dismissed from their duties, including 30 governors, 52 civil inspectors, and 16 legal advisers.

More than 6,000 suspects have been arrested in connection with Friday’s coup attempt, including military figures, judges and police officers.

They are accused of links to U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, who is said to have pursued a long-running campaign against the government through supporters within the Turkish state.

Gulen is the main suspect in two investigations launched into the attempted coup by Istanbul prosecutors, judicial sources told Anadolu Agency, on Sunday on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

* Can Erozden contributed to this story from Ankara.