Failed Coup in Turkey; Ruling Party Undertakes 'Cleansing'

Leaders of the Justice and Development Party, the ruling party in Turkey, have ordered the cleansing of members supporting Fethullah Gülen within the organization; following reactions and chain actions after the failed coup on July 15 in Turkey, the arrest of a German citizen has also been confirmed. According to Anadolu Agency, the 'necessary cleansing in the ruling party' is aimed at expelling those connected to Fethullah Gülen, a critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkey considers the Gülen movement, based on the thoughts of the cleric residing in the U.S., a 'terrorist group' and has accused Gülen himself of 'leading' the coup. Gülen has denied the accusations and has leveled similar charges against Erdoğan. The news of the 'cleansing' within the ruling party comes at a time when Turkish officials have stated that John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, will visit Turkey. If this visit occurs, it will be the first trip by this senior American official to Turkey since the failed coup. Relations between Turkey and its Western allies have become tense and crisis-ridden. Western countries, including Germany, France, and Austria, as well as human rights organizations, have expressed concern about Ankara's reactions to the failed coup. The Turkish government has rejected these criticisms and, at times, has reacted strongly; the Turkish Foreign Minister recently stated that Vienna is the capital of extreme racism in response to Austria's criticisms. Meanwhile, the news of the arrest of a German citizen, who apparently had books about Gülen found in her home, has also been confirmed. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that the German embassy in Ankara has attempted to contact the detained woman but has been unsuccessful. Berlin confirmed the arrest of this citizen on Friday, August 5, but her arrest dates back to a few days before the official confirmation. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, who was once allied with Gülen, has asked Kazakhstan to close 33 schools that he claims are connected to the Gülen movement. He has told reporters that he provided a list of these schools to the Kazakh government. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Kazakhstan, who is set to visit Turkey, stated that 90,000 people are studying in the schools on the list sent; 'If there are terrorists among them, we will respond to Turkey's request.' Over 60,000 military personnel, judges, lawyers, police forces, teachers, and civil servants have been arrested or dismissed in the past three weeks; dozens of journalists have also been arrested, and several news networks and publications have been shut down.