Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

The EU is unwilling to delve into essence of Turkey’s fight against the movement of Fethullah Gulen, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in his interview to TGRT TV channel.

He said that Turkey tries in every possible way to explain the danger of Gulen movement to the country, but in vain. “The EU believes it can criticize Turkey and perceives Ankara’s all replies as an ultimatum,” Cavusoglu noted.

Cavusoglu stressed that it is necessary to cleanse the Foreign Ministry from Gulen supporters. Earlier, the foreign minister said one of the diplomats, an employee of Turkish consulate in Kazan, Russia, fled to Japan.

More than 300 people have been dismissed from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry as part of the fight against the movement of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of organizing the military coup attempt in the country.

Istanbul court adopted a decision on August 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen.

Moreover, as a part of the operation against the Gulen movement , 139 employees of Turkey’s Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) have been dismissed, Anadolu Agency reported on August 5. The operation was held on August 3 at TUBITAK. Additionally, 28 employees of the Council have resigned from the positions.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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