Authorities in Turkey closed over 130 media outlets and dismissed some 1,600 military personnel on Wednesday, according to reports.
In their crackdown on the media the Turkish government shutdown three news agencies, 23 radio stations, 16 TV channels, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines, and 29 publishers and distributors. Authorities also issued arrest warrants for another 47 journalists suspected of having links to the recent failed coup in Turkey.
RT reports:
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The army saw 1,684 soldiers discharged, according to the government decree cited by CNN Turk. The number includes 149 generals and admirals, amounting to nearly half of the high-ranking officers in the entire Turkish military, the Reuters reported.
In the wake of the coup attempt, Turkey is also planning to shut down all of the country’s military schools, Al Jazeera Turk reports, citing government sources. A decree is set to be released that will expel all military cadets from military high schools, but they will be able to continue their education at regular schools, according to the outlet.
Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish authorities ordered that 47 journalists from a formerly oppositional newspaper be detained. “Today’s detentions cover executives and some staff including columnists of Zaman newspaper,” a government official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity, as cited by Reuters.
According to the latest figures announced by the Turkish Interior Minister Efkana Ala, more than 15,000 people have been detained since the failed coup. A total of 8,113 people have been formally arrested and are awaiting trial.
The Turkish military confirmed on Wednesday that 8,651 soldiers had taken part in the failed coup.
