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2016 Turkish purges facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The 2014–2016 Turkish judicial purges were times when many people working in Turkey's justice system were removed from their jobs. These events happened in January 2014 and July 2016, during the time Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was president. In January 2014, 120 judges and prosecutors were moved to different roles because of a big investigation into corruption. Then, on July 16, 2016, right after a failed attempt to take over the government, 2,745 judges were immediately dismissed.

How Many People Were Affected?

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, center left, introduces himself to Turkish military leaders Sept 140908-D-NI589-553
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel shaking hands with General Erdal Öztürk. General Öztürk was later taken into custody in connection with the failed coup attempt.

After the events, many people from different parts of the government and public services were suspended or removed from their positions. This table shows how many people were affected in various areas:

Government Area Suspended (Removed from Duty) Arrested (Taken into Custody) Notes
Turkish Armed Forces (Military) 1,684 96
Turkish Land Forces 1,069 N/A 87 generals
Turkish Naval Forces 154 N/A 32 admirals
Turkish Air Force 461 N/A 30 generals
Ministry of Interior (Police, etc.) 8,777 N/A
Ministry of Health 5,581 N/A 115 managers, 1504 doctors
Ministry of Culture and Tourism 110 N/A
Ministry of National Education (Teachers, staff) 15,200 N/A
Education institutions licensed by the Ministry of National Education 21,000 N/A
Ministry of Development 82 N/A
Ministry of Economy 15 N/A
Ministry of Forest and Water Management 197 N/A
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications 529 N/A
Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology 560 N/A
Ministry of Family and Social Policy 599 N/A
Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning 70 N/A
Turkish Universities 697 N/A
İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality 768 N/A
Total Number of Suspended People 45,954

Related Events

Images for kids

  • 2364246 İsmet Yılmaz und Ursula von der Leyen im Januar 2016

    General Bekir Ercan Van (far left), the commander of Incirlik Air Base, was stated of complicity in the attempted coup.

  • Turkish journalists protesting imprisonment of their colleagues in 2016

    Turkish journalists protesting imprisonment of their colleagues on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2016

  • Can Dündar & Erdem Gül

    Turkish journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül were arrested facing sentences up to life imprisonment.

  • Enes Kanter Western Conference Finals 2019

    The purges have gotten attention in the United States due to the Turkish government's attempts to arrest and extradite NBA player Enes Kanter, who is both a Gulenist and an outspoken critic of Erdoğan. Kanter doesn't attend team and league functions held abroad as he fears for his safety if he ever leaves the United States.

  • Selahattin Demirtaş 2018 campaign launch

    Selahattin Demirtaş's presidential campaign being launched outside Edirne prison where he is incarcerated, 25 May 2018

  • Solidaritäts-matinee-deniz-yücel-mai-2017-ffm-2985

    Free Deniz Yücel campaign in Frankfurt, 21 May 2017

  • Italian Wikipedia against Turkey's censorship (Screenshot 2017-05-08)

    Italian Wikipedia against Turkey's censorship

  • Manifestacja Krakowie w obronie Aslı Erdoğan i tureckich więźniów politycznych 01

    Demonstration in support of arrested journalist Aslı Erdoğan in Kraków, Poland

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Purgas en Turquía de 2016 para niños

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