Turkey: At least 8,000 officials suspended after coup attempt

ANKARA (AA) - More than 8,000 officials have been suspended in Turkey after a failed coup attempt late Friday, according to the country’s interior ministry on Monday.

A total of 8,777 personnel were dismissed from their duties, including 30 governors, 52 civil inspectors, and 16 legal advisers, the interior ministry said.

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

They are accused of having links to the 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.