Turkish schools, charities close in Erdogan’s first state-of-emergency decree

More than 1,000 private schools have been closed in Turkey, as well as a thousand or so various associations and foundations, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan released his first decree since declaring a three-month state of emergency.

After a coup attempt last week failed to topple him and his government, President Erdogan also decreed that suspects can be detained for up to 30 days without charges – a stark change from the previous maximum of four days.

Among the 1,229 charities and foundations being shut down for their suspected involvement with the Gulen movement are 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions. Erdogan has blamed Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen for the coup attempt last week. Gulen, who currently resides in the U.S., has denied the accusation.

The three-month state of emergency announced Wednesday has been widely seen by rights groups and global leaders as clearing the way for further purging of Erdogan’s opponents. It allows for the president and government to pass laws without parliament’s approval.

The number of people detained has reached more than 9,000, including 6,000 military, who are being held in what Erdogan describes as “pre-trial detention.” By some estimates, almost 50,000 public officials, including judges and academics, were suspended or ordered to resign.

Turkish state media on Wednesday said the government has banned all academics from traveling out of Turkey. The reported order came after more than 21,000 employees of the Education Ministry, including more than 1,500 university deans, were suspended Tuesday.

Source: VOANews.com

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