Turkey forms body to probe post-coup bid dismissals

ISTANBUL Turkey has formed a commission that will pave the way for civil servants to appeal legal actions taken against them under the ongoing post-coup bid state of emergency, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Wednesday. The commission will begin working from July 17. According to the Turkish government, Fetullah Terrorist Organization and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary. Speaking at the International July 15 Symposium, hosted by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research in Istanbul, Yildirim said the commission was formed to probe the cases of civil servants dismissed from service during the state of emergency. "With this new order, we have opened the way to an appeal” for civil servants dismissed under the state of emergency, Yildirim said. The premier said normally civil servants who lose their jobs under the state of emergency have no means of redressal such as approaching judges in a court of law. "With this new arrangement under the statutory decree no: 685, the 'State of Emergency Procedures Investigation Commission' has been established," he said. "This commission will begin working from July 17. Preparations have been finalized; the commission will start accepting files and will examine them to reach a decision." Yildirim also said there have been two instances in Turkish political history when the state was forced to fight against FETO; the terror organization which is believed to have been formed in 1966. "There are two periods of struggle against this organization: one is the period of the deceased Erbakan and the other one is the period of ruling [Jusitce and Development] AK Party and [President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan," he said. Necmettin Erbakan was Turkey’s prime minister from June 1996 until Feb. 28, 1997, when the military effectively deposed him under a “post-modern coup” after less than a year in office, leading to the collapse of his coalition government. "The rest of the political leaders have always had it good with the organization. Take a look at historical events and you will see this," Yildirim said. The prime minister also highlighted the importance of the faith and support of the Turkish people in the fight against FETO. "There is no doubt that there are more steps to be taken in the battle against FETO and the fight continues steadfastly."