All those institutions are suspected of links to Fethullah Gulen, a USA -based cleric accused by Turkey of directing the insurrection that left about 290 people dead and was put down by loyalist forces and pro-government protesters.
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The health ministry said patients at hospitals that are being seized will be transferred to state hospitals, highlighting the sweeping impact of the government’s crackdown after a failed July 15 coup attempt.
Before the coup attempt, Turkey’s detention period without charges was 24 hours, extendable to as long as four days.
“Any reports that we had any previous knowledge of a coup attempt, that there was any United States involvement in it, that we were anything other than entirely supportive of Turkish democracy are completely false, unequivocally false”, Obama said.
Turkey – President Erdogan announced Saturday more restrictive measures through the State of Emergency decree in response to the failed Coup d’état last 15 July, by ordering the closure of thousands of private schools and institutions that are believed to be linked to Gulen, presumptive orchestrator of the putsch.
A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday, allowing the president and cabinet to bypass parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms.
President Erdogan has hit out at leaders from the European Union for its “prejudiced” attitude attitude to Turkey, while 1,200 soldiers detained after the coup bid have now been freed.
Due to that, the US President, Barack Obama, asked for real proofs that show the participation of Gulen in the insurgent activities occurred last week, since Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, affirmed Turkey was in negotiations and expected to complete the Gulen’s extradition to open a trial in Turkey because of his subversive actions.
The Erdogan government claimed the coup attempt was carried out by the organisation of preacher Fethullah Gulen, whose influence runs deep in the Turkish education and legal systems.
More rallies were planned over the weekend in many towns and cities.
Cars and mini-buses honking their horns drive around the streets until late in the night carrying flag-waving supporters of Mr Erdogan shouting patriotic or religious slogans. Despite media speculation, however, he did not sack Mr Fidan.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said Thursday the USA has offered to send a team to Turkey, or host a Turkish delegation, to assist the processing of the request.
Gulen denies the accusation and has condemned the uprising.
Additionally, more than 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, teachers and civil servants have been suspended, detained or placed under investigation in the past week. “It also sits astride a very unsettled area and with the challenges that the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] and Kurdish terrorists present to Turkey”.
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After the coup, Western countries pledged support for democracy in Turkey. “I said to him that he needs to make sure that not just he, but everybody in his government understand that those reports are completely false because when rumors like that start swirling around, that puts our people at risk on the ground in Turkey and it threatens what is a critical alliance and partnership between the USA and Turkey”, Obama said.
