Mourners are seen through a Turkish national flag while attending the funeral ceremony of Erol Ince, a police officer who was killed during a thwarted coup at Eyup Sultan Mosque in Istanbul. (File photo: Reuters)
Turkey removes 492 state religious personnel after failed coup
Officials also removed 257 staff from duty at the prime minister's office for suspected involvement in the failed coup
Turkey has removed 492 staff from duty at its top Islamic authority for suspected involvement in the failed July 15 military coup and for alleged "terrorism" links, a statement from the Diyanet said on Tuesday.
Turkey's government has accused US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the coup, in which more than 200 people were killed. Gulen, who has many supporters in Turkey's civil service, judiciary and police, has strongly denied the accusation.
More than 100,000 personnel are employed at the Religious Affairs Directorate, or Diyanet.
Also on Tuesday, Turkey removed 257 staff from duty at the prime minister's office for suspected involvement in the failed July 15 military coup, sources in his team said on Tuesday.
