Turkey appoints new judges amid coup bid probe

By Kemal Karadag

ANKARA

Turkey appointed fresh judges Monday, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) said, following a wave of arrests in the judiciary after the July 15 coup plot.

In a statement on its website, the HSYK said 267 Supreme Court of Appeal judges and 75 Council of State judges were elected by secret ballot in an emergency meeting.

The move follows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s order to restructure Turkey’s highest courts after the dismissal and arrest of thousands of judges and prosecutors.

The clampdown on the FETO/PDY terrorist group came as the government accused members of the justice system of complicity in the failed coup, which it ultimately blames on the supporters of the group's U.S.-based head Fetullah Gulen.