Turkey to replace thousands of sacked prosecutors, judges after coup attempt

ANKARA, July 24 (KUNA) -- Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag has unveiled plans to hire about 3,000 new prosecutors and judges to replace those sacked for suspected links to so-called "parallel state" organization, accused of standing behind the July 15th failed coup.
In statements to the Turkish Channel 7 on Sunday, Bozdag pointed out that 800 lawyers and 2,200 law college graduates would be appointed as prosecutors and judges by next November.
Measures have been taken to fill the gap and avoid any delay to people's transactions in judicial institutions, he assured.
In the same vein, Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz said that the ministry is planning to hire 20,000 new teachers after suspending thousands of teachers and staff members in the education sector as part of a nation-wide probe into the July 15th coup attempt.
"We will operate these (public) schools which are owned by the state, the licenses of teachers who work there have been suspended, we will carry on education (services) with newcomers," he said.
"We will not allow any students to suffer," Yilmaz added.
Meanwhile, an Istanbul court on Sunday reminded in custody chiefs of the ground forces academy, air force academy and chief of staff of the military academies pending more investigations about their role in the foiled coup.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday that more than 13,000 people with suspected links to the coup attempt have been taken into custody, including 1,485 police officers, more than 8,000 soldiers, 2,101 members of the judiciary, 52 district governors and 689 civilians.
The suspension of staff from various public offices came after July 15-coup bid which is believed to have been orchestrated by Gulen followers, who have been accused of attempting to infiltrate Turkey's vital state institutions -- especially the military, police apparatus and judiciary -- with the aim of creating a "parallel state." At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, were killed -- and nearly 2,200 injured -- during the coup attempt. (end) rs.ibi