ANKARA: Turkish authorities on Friday reinstated more than 1,800 civil servants in an emergency decree after finding they had no links to a group blamed for the 2016 failed coup.
The public sector employees were sacked after being accused of downloading an encrypted messaging app known as ByLock, which the authorities say was used by the movement of US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen who is blamed for the attempted putsch.
But late last year, the authorities said that the app had been unknowingly downloaded by thousands of people.
Gulen denies Turkey’s accusations and insists his movement is a peaceful group.
A total of 1,823 civil servants will return to work, including 544 personnel from the education ministry and 204 health ministry staff.
The decree also said 458 personnel from the police force could return to their jobs.
Following the failed overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey imposed a state of emergency which has been renewed five times and is likely to be extended again this month.
Using emergency decrees, more than 140,000 public workers have been sacked or suspended including teachers, judges, police officers and academics since July 2016.
Over 50,000 people have been arrested, including many with suspected links to Gulen because they had allegedly downloaded ByLock.
Last month the Ankara chief prosecutor said that 11,480 people were directed to the ByLock app without realizing or giving permission.
But in Friday’s decree, 262 people including 48 military personnel were sacked, state-run news agency Anadolu said, while two organizations were shut down.
The employees will have to return to work within 10 days and will receive their wages for the period they were not working but cannot apply for compensation.
Turkey reinstates over 1,800 civil servants after post-coup purges
Turkey reinstates over 1,800 civil servants after post-coup purges
50,000 perform Ramadan Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Worshippers gather amid heightened tensions in occupied West Bank
- Hundreds of Jerusalemites ordered not to enter mosque during holy month
LONDON: About 50,000 Palestinian worshippers performed the Isha and Ramadan Taraweeh prayers on Sunday evening at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem.
The crowds gathered despite Israeli military checkpoints and strict identity checks at the mosque’s gates, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
Palestinians are observing the Muslim holy month, which began on Wednesday, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers and raids and arrests by the Israeli army.
More than 300 Jerusalemites recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported.
Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and restricted access to the mosque for children under 12, men over 55 and women over 50.
Since Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up to pass through military checkpoints, including at Qalandiya and Bethlehem, in the hope of attending prayers at Al-Aqsa.
