Turkey bans 27,000 from education sector

  • 11/08/2016
President Erdogan (Getty)
President Erdogan (Getty)

Turkey has cancelled the work permits of 27,424 people working in the education sector as part of its investigations into the movement of the US-based cleric it blames for a failed military coup, Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz said.

"27,424 personnel working in institutions and schools as part of the parallel state structure have had their work permits cancelled," Mr Yilmaz told reporters in comments broadcast on several Turkish television channels.

"These personnel will not be allowed to work in public or private education institutions again."

The "parallel structure" is a term used by government officials to refer to the network of Gulen movement followers within state institutions.

Fethullah Gulen, the cleric leading the movement, has denied involvement in the coup or plotting against the state.

Reuters