Turkish Council of State dismisses member over Gülen links

ANKARA

The Turkish Council of State has dismissed one of its members over his alleged links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

Eyüp Kaya was dismissed by a Council of State’s Board of Presidency decision published in the Official Gazette on Nov. 8.

According to the court, Kaya has links to “a terror group or a structure, organization or group that was determined by the National Security Council [MGK] to be acting against the national security of the state.”

Kaya was then dismissed unanimously after the board evaluated that it was not appropriate for him to remain in his post.

FETÖ, under the leadership of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, is widely believed to have been behind the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt that left 250 people killed and nearly 2,200 wounded.

Thousands of public employees have been suspended or dismissed from their posts over their alleged links to the Gülen network since the attempted takeover.