Erdogan Says Informing on Gulen Supporters ‘Patriotic Duty’
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's president has called on a group of businessmen to inform authorities about anyone they suspect of being a follower of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric accused of orchestrating Turkey's failed July 15 coup.
Speaking to a group of Turkish exporters on Wednesday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also vowed to press ahead with a large-scale government crackdown on suspected members of the movement led by Fethullah Gulen. Gulen has repeatedly denied involvement.
Erdogan said it is a "patriotic duty to expose" Gulen supporters even if they are family or friends.
Turkey has formally arrested 16,000 people in connection to the failed coup. Tens of thousands of people with suspected links to Gulen have been suspended or dismissed from their jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.
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