More than 15,000 Turkish state employees dismissed

ISTANBUL

A total of 15,653 Turkish state employees have been dismissed for alleged links to illegal organizations on Tuesday, Turkey’s official gazette said.

According to the official gazette, 7,586 police officers have been ousted from the Security General Directorate, while 403 people have also been dismissed from the Gendarmerie General Command.

A total of 1,259 personnel from the Land Forces Command, 391 from the Naval Forces Command, and 338 from the Air Force Command have also been ousted from the Turkish Army, the statutory decree said.

The official gazette revealed that 5,676 state employees were also dismissed from several ministries and other governmental organizations, on Tuesday.

This includes 2,696 employees from the Interior Ministry, 1,184 staffers from several universities, 752 employees from the Health Ministry, 453 from the Ministry of Finance, 131 from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, 119 from the Ministry of National Education.

It also incorporates 94 staffers from the Directorate of Religious Affairs, 73 from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 52 employees from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 45 from the Turkish Radio and Television Association, 23 from the Ministry of Defense, 15 from the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), 14 from the Directorate of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD), 13 employees from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 11 staffers from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and one from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.

At least 375 NGOs and nine press organizations have also been shut down Tuesday.

According to the decree, 155 people who were previously dismissed from public institutions and organizations, have been reinstated on Tuesday.

The measures taken Tuesday were under state-of-emergency legislation and the institutions were closed to protect security and the public order, the statement added.

Turkey declared a state of emergency after the deadly July 15 coup attempt, which martyred 248 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.