Turkish ministries suspend staff after coup plot

ANKARA (AA) - More than 15,000 personnel have been suspended or dismissed from Turkey’s civil service after Friday’s failed coup attempt, according to the country’s education and family ministries on Tuesday.

A total of 15,200 civil servants were relieved of their duties pending an investigation, the Education Ministry said in a statement.

Turkey’s Family and Social Policies Ministry also said 393 of its personnel had been dismissed.

The moves come after Friday’s coup attempt, which claimed the lives of around 240 people and injured nearly 1,500 others.

The government has said the plot was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming the parallel state.