Turkey Postcoup Crackdown Targets Academics, Bank Regulators

Turkey is continuing its massive crackdown on people the authorities accuse of having some connection with last month's failed coup attempt.

Prosecutors on August 19 issued arrest warrants for 84 academics they claim have ties to self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara believes masterminded the coup bid.

Gulen, who lives in the United States, denies any involvement.

The same day, police detained 29 inspectors from the state banking watchdog who are accused of "irregular inspections."

And Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said that 137 military personnel accused of supporting the coup remain at large, including nine generals and admirals.

In all, more than 40,000 people have been detained since the July 15 coup attempt, and more than 20,000 have been formally arrested.

More than 80,000 people have been suspended from their jobs.

Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AFP