Following the failed coup in Turkey back in mid-July, there were over 40,000 arrests, and over 80,000 people were removed from their jobs – more than 3,000 judges and prosecutors, over 2,000 academics and 20,000 teachers. The crackdown also included journalists and the media.
Human rights activists say the attack on civil liberties is unjustified, but government officials insist they’re fighting an unconventional “terrorist network” that has infiltrated many levels of the country’s infrastructure.
In this week’s Headliner, we challenge Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, who defends the actions of the Turkish government.
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