Turkey dismisses more than 2,000 police officers over coup bid

Those dismissed were described as having links to U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of orchestrating the failed coup attempt on July 15, although he denies involvement.

The decrees, published in the country’s Official Gazette, also included a decision to close the Telecommunications Directorate (TİB) and another decision under which the president will appoint the head of the armed forces. 

Under previous emergency rule decrees, Turkey dismissed thousands of security force members as well as ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions suspected of links to Gülen. 

The latest dismissals included 2,360 police officers, more than 100 military personnel and 196 staff at the BTK, according to the decrees, issued under a three-month state of emergency which came into force on July 21. 

Alongside tens of thousands of civil servants suspended or dismissed, more than 35,000 people have been detained in a massive crackdown since the failed coup attempt, when a group of soldiers commandeered tanks, warplanes and helicopters in an attempt to overthrow the government.