Report: Turkey issues warrants for 42 journalists
ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's state-run television station said authorities have issued warrants for the detention of 42 journalists as the country pressed ahead with a crackdown against people with alleged links to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric in the wake of a failed coup.
TRT television said Monday that the 42 included prominent journalist and former parliamentarian Nazli Ilicak, who is critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule and has opposed a government clampdown on a movement led by Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric accused by Turkey of directing the July 15 coup attempt. Gulen has denied any involvement in the failed insurrection.
There was no information on other journalists sought for questioning.
More than 13,000 people, including nearly 9,000 soldiers, 2,100 judges and prosecutors and 1,485 police, have been detained in Turkey's post-rebellion crackdown, according to the president. In addition, some 50,000 workers have lost their jobs, suspected of possible ties to the coup plotters.
Erdogan said the government has also closed and seized the assets of 15 universities, 934 other schools, 109 student dormitories, 19 unions, 35 medical institutions as well as over 1,100 other associations and foundations.
Turkey wants the United States to extradite Gulen. President Barack Obama says the U.S. has an extradition process and has encouraged Turkey to present any evidence it has.