The sweeping purge of state institutions has led to the firing of about 130,000 people. The group is accused of infiltrating many Turkish institutions over the past three decades. According to Mr. Soylu, the “secret imams” were part of a parallel leadership structure within the police force that was ultimately answerable to Mr. Gulen, whose extradition has long been sought by the Turkish authorities. The subject of Mr. Gulen is almost certain to be discussed at a coming meeting in Washington between President Trump and Mr. Erdogan, whose government was allied to the cleric’s movement before the two fell out publicly in 2013. Some people have been purged simply for placing their children in Gulen-owned schools or for putting their money in Gulen-owned banks.

Source: New York Times April 26, 2017 14:25 UTC