Turkish government may take foster children of Gülenist

ANKARA - Reuters

Turkish authorities are investigating foster families for suspected ties to a failed coup and may remove children from homes if their guardians are found to be supporters of the putsch, a government official has said. 

The government has so far detained or dismissed tens of thousands of people over alleged links to the network of U.S.-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen, main suspect in the July 15 coup attempt case. 

“It would not be right for a child to remain with a (foster) family if links to FETÖ [Fethullah Terror Organization]are confirmed as a result of the examinations,” the official from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy told Reuters. 

The official, who declined to be identified, said the investigations had been going on since August 23. 

“This is a slow process in which detailed examinations are being carried out. So it is out of the question for children to be suddenly ripped away from their families,” the official said, adding that the psychological health of the children was being closely monitored. 

Around 5,000 foster families and some related institutions are being investigated, the pro-government Yeni Şafak newspaper reported. The government has also cut off cooperation with four childcare-related NGOs as part of its investigation, the newspaper said.