More than 18,600 Turkish officials dismissed by decree

(nda dpa afp) Shortly before a possible lifting of the state of emergency in Turkey, more than 18,600 civil servants were revoked by decree. Among them, thousands of police and military. But also professors, university professors and departmental employees are concerned.

A total of 18,632 civil servants are sacked by an edict released Sunday. The reason for this measure is related to alleged links with terrorist organizations or anti-state security activities.

Among the dismissed are 9000 police officers, 6000 army employees, about 1000 employees of the Ministry of Justice and 650 employees of the Ministry of Education. Hundreds of Gendarmerie and Coast Guard employees have also lost their jobs. On the other hand, 148 officials revoked by previous decrees were reinstated in the public service

In addition, the decree ordered the closure of 12 associations – mainly educational – as well as three newspapers and &. a television channel. Among the banned newspapers are the Kurdish "Welat" leaf from the south of the country and the pro-Kurdish "Özgürlükcü Demokrasi" leaf. Its drafting in Istanbul had been searched by the police in March

According to the official Anadolu news agency, it was the last decree before the lifting of the state of emergency. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had hinted Thursday that the state of emergency Monday, after the swearing in of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, could be lifted. Normally, the state of emergency would expire on July 19.

On Monday, the presidential system adopted at a referendum last year will also be effective. Thus, the head of state belongs to the entire executive power. It can then presidential decrees issued without the special rights of the state of emergency.

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Tens of Thousands of Inmates

Erdogan Has Been Urgency He is responsible for the movement around the American preacher Fethullah Gülen. In case of emergency, Erdogan can govern by decree and fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly are limited.

More than 100,000 civil servants were fired for alleged relations with Gülen. In addition, more than 70,000 people were arrested and many media and clubs closed.

Erdogan won the presidential election on June 24 with 52.59% of the vote. In the new parliament, the conservative Erdogan AKP, along with the ultranationalist MHP, has an absolute majority. For the largest opposition party, the CHP seats 146 deputies in Parliament

The new deputies of the Turkish National Assembly were sworn in on Saturday. Their number rose from 550 to 600 as a result of the constitutional amendment following the referendum of April 2017. The Turks had voted in favor of introducing a presidential system in the referendum controversial by a narrow margin.