Turkey police raid science council in post-coup purge

Turkey continues investigation into followers of US-based businessman accused of masterminding last month’s coup.

Erdogan
More than 60,000 people have suspended, detained or placed under investigation after the failed coup [Kayhan Ozer/AP/FILE]

Turkish police have raided the offices of the national science research council, private broadcaster NTV reported.

Many people were detained in the raid on the offices of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Tubitak) in the northwestern province of Kocaeli on Wednesday, NTV said.

Tubitak funds science research projects in universities and the private sector and employs more than 1,500 researchers, according to its website.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation since the July 15 coup attempt.

Turkey’s government says the coup attempt was orchestrated by followers of Turkish businessman Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since 1999.

Gulen denies the charge and has condemned the coup.

Thousands of people in the judiciary, police forces and military have been sacked or detained.

More than 230 people, not including the coup plotters, died and thousands were wounded as mutinous soldiers commandeered fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in the failed attempt to topple the government.

Source: News Agencies