Hundreds More Court Officials Sacked In Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (file photo)

Turkey’s top judicial board has dismissed 543 more judges and prosecutors, bringing the number of sackings since July's failed coup to more than 3,200.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on September 1 that the purge would "enhance" the judiciary's independence.

The Turkish authorities have removed about 80,000 people from public duties for what they say are suspected links to the coup plotters.

Many of them have also been detained for questioning since July 15, including judges, prosecutors, soldiers, police officers, and journalists.

The government blames the coup on followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who denies any involvement.

More than 270 people died in events surrounding the coup attempt.

The European Union and the United States have expressed concerns that the mass arrests and crackdown on political dissent have targeted individuals simply because they are political opponents of Erdogan.

Based on reporting by Reuters, Anadolu, and the BBC