Turkey suspends 265 soldiers for coup links

The Turkish Interior Ministry on Friday suspended a total of 265 officers of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard for alleged links to the failed coup in July.

The measure is a part of the investigations of the Turkish Justice Ministry into the network of supporters of exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating the attempted coup, an accusation he denies, Efe news reported.

According to Anadolu news agency, a total of 153 officers have been dismissed in the Gendarmerie, a service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces which is dependent on the interior ministry.

Among those affected by the decision are 42 officers, 56 sub-officers and 30 sergeants.

Meanwhile, 112 persons have been suspended from the Coast Guard, including 52 officers and 56 sub-officers.

Until 2013, Gulen's supporters had formed a network that was occupying a large number of important posts in the administration, judicial and police apparatus with the government's backing, but their presence in the armed forces only came to light after the coup.

--IANS

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