Turkey suspends academic assignments abroad

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s higher education authority on Wednesday demanded all universities in the country suspend academic assignments abroad until further notice.

In a notice sent to universities across Turkey, the Council of Higher Education (YOK) also demanded the recall of those academics already on assignment outside the country unless it is deemed absolutely necessary they continue their work.

YOK has also demanded an investigation into all academic and administrative staff linked to the Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organization, the so-called ‘parallel state’. Results of these probes must be submitted by Aug. 5.

On Tuesday YOK had demanded the resignation of every university dean in the country in the wake of Friday’s attempted coup, including 1,176 state and 401 private university deans.

The attempted coup has led to a wave of arrests and suspensions of military, judicial, police and civil service members.

Turkey's government has said the failed coup, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people, was staged by supporters of U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state.