Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Report: Turkey Sacks 107 Judges, Prosecutors Over Links to Failed Coup

by Reuters

   ANKARA --

   Turkey dismissed 107 judges and prosecutors over alleged links to a
   failed coup in July last year, Turkish television reported Friday, in
   the third major purge since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was granted
   sweeping new powers.

   Turkey has now fired about 145,000 civil servants, security personnel
   and academics, local media reported. The number of ousted judges and
   prosecutors has reached 4,238.

   Ankara has blamed the network of the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen
   for a coup attempt last July in which he has denied all involvement.

   Detention warrants were issued for the dismissed judges and
   prosecutors, Turkish TV said. More than 40,000 were arrested in the
   aftermath of the failed putsch, in which 240 people were killed, mostly
   civilians.

   Rights groups and some Western allies say a referendum in April brought
   Turkey, a NATO member and European Union candidate, closer to one-man
   rule.