Erdogan shuts down links to Muslim cleric
President Tayyip Erdogan tightened his grip on Turkey at the weekend, ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions in his first decree since imposing a state of emergency after the failed military coup.
Turkish authorities also detained a nephew of Fethullah Gulen, the United States-based Muslim cleric accused by Ankara of orchestrating the July 15 coup attempt.
A restructuring of Turkey’s once untouchable military also drew closer, with a planned meeting between Erdogan and the already purged top brass brought forward by several days.
The schools and other institutions are suspected by Turkish authorities of having links to Gulen, who has many followers in Turkey. Gulen denies any involvement in the coup attempt in which at least 246 people were killed.
His nephew, Muhammed Sait Gulen, was detained in the northeastern city of Erzurum and will be brought to the capital, Ankara, for questioning.
Among possible charges that could be brought against him is membership of a terrorist organisation, the agency said.
Turkey has also captured a key aide to Gulen, a presidency official said. Halis Hanci, described as the cleric’s right-hand man, apparently entered Turkey two days before the abortive coup.
Hasan Karakus, the pilot who bombed the special forces command in Ankara and killed 42 police officers, was also caught in Turkey, said the official.
Critics of Erdogan fear he is using the abortive coup to wage an indiscriminate crackdown on dissent.
The foundations targeted include, for example, the Association of Judges and Prosecutors (YARSAV), a secular group that criticised a recent judicial law drafted by Erdogan’s Islamistrooted AK Party.
Banners were hung on road bridges, subways and advertising boards around Istanbul with the words ‘‘Hakimiyet Milletindir’’ (The People Rule).
Public buses and some private cars were adorned with red Turkish flags. Public transport in Istanbul has been free since Erdogan called people to the streets.
Turkey does not plan to extend emergency rule beyond three months following the failed coup, but would do so if necessary, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said.
‘‘Our goal is that it shouldn’t be extended, but if the need arises it may of course be extended.’’
Yildirim said only a few people who took part in the coup attempt remain at large – a group of around 15 who attacked a hotel Erdogan was staying at in the resort of Marmaris and some who went to Greece.
Turkey plans to dismantle the special presidential guard, he added.
In his decree, Erdogan also extended to a maximum of 30 days from four days the period in which some suspects can be detained.
It said this would facilitate a full investigation into the coup attempt.
Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possible death during the coup attempt, said last week that he would restructure the armed forces and bring in ‘‘fresh blood’’.
Turkey’s Supreme Military Council (YAS) will meet under Erdogan’s supervision on July 28, a few days earlier than originally planned, private broadcaster NTV reported, a sign that the president wants to act fast to ensure the armed forces are fully under the government’s control.