Deputy PM says dismissals in public service should not be turned into witch hunt

“When you have a look at rectors’ elections in universities, someone is informing on the other as a FETÖ member. What is interesting is that the other also accuses his opponent in the same way. They are malevolent. I also said this on TV. If your shocks breaks on the road, they say FETÖ members did it. There is such a widespread atmosphere. This thing is being turned into a witch hunt, and I see it as very [unfortunate],” Türkeş said in an interview with daily Sözcü, saying the government was acting carefully to differentiate between the good and the evil, the right and wrong.

The deputy prime minister also refuted claims over the arbitrary dismissals of opposition figures in the bureaucracy, noting that they were based on investigations and intelligence.

“Dismissals in public service are not arbitrary. They are done based on a number of criteria such as reports coming from intelligence units, contact information, organizational work and organized work,” he said.

But Türkeş admitted there could be problems during the dismissal process as enmity, personal problems and other such issues could be involved.