Turkey Jails over 12,000 People Linked to Coup Attempt

Ankara, 25 Syawwl 1437/30 July 2016  (MINA)  – Around 12,096 individuals have been sentenced to prison by Turkey’s judiciary over involvement in the failed military coup attempt that took place on July 15th, official media reported Saturday.

The list of prisoners includes 1,446 judges, 768 public prosecutors, 155 generals, 4,185 officers, 642 soldiers, and 881 army recruits, Turkish judicial sources said, according to Anadolu Agency.

The number of incarcerated policemen rose to 1,744, the sources said, adding that the number of detained officials and workers of local authorities has also increased to 2,275.

Meanwhile, Turkish authorities’ nationwide investigations are continuing in various cities and areas against the so-called “parallel entity” following the failed coup attempt.

Fears that Erdogan will seek to further cement his rule and muzzle dissent through repression have strained ties with Western Nato allies and cast a darkening shadow over Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi warned that “a country that jails its own university professors and journalists imprisons its future”. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)