Turkey has sacked almost 9,000 officials in its crackdown against suspected plotters of Friday’s failed coup attempt by a faction of the Army. The Interior Ministry said, thousands of police personnel and municipal governors were among those suspended.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said over 7,500 people have been detained, including nearly 100 generals and admirals. Former Air Force Chief General Akin Ozturk, who was detained on charges of masterminding the coup attempt, has denied any involvement. Security forces killed an armed attacker who shot at them from a vehicle outside the Ankara courthouse where suspected coup plotters were appearing before judges.
President Erdogan has urged citizens to remain on the streets even after the defeat of the coup, in what the authorities describe as a vigil for democracy. The death toll due to the attempted coup has crossed 300. Public servants’ annual leave has been cancelled until further notice. United Nations, European Union and United States have sternly warned President Erdogan against excessive retribution.