Turkish police raid science council in post-coup purge

Turkish police have raided theoffices of the national science research council, an officialsaid on Wednesday, as authorities widen an investigation intofollowers of the U.S.-based cleric that Turkey suspects ofmasterminding lastmonth's coup attempt.

Broadcaster NTV earlier reported that police raided theoffices of the Scientific and Technological Research Council ofTurkey (Tubitak) on Wednesday and detained "many" people.

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However, a Tubitak official told Reuters the raid hadhappened on Sunday, adding he did not have any details about thenumber of detentions. He declined to comment further.

Tubitak funds science research projects in universities andthe private sector and employs more than 1,500 researchers,according to its website.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civilservice and education have been detained, suspended or placedunder investigation following the July 15 coup attempt,prompting fears that President Tayyip Erdogan is using theevents to crack down on dissent.

Turkey's government says the coup attempt was orchestratedby followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who has livedin self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. Gulendenies the charge and has condemned the coup.

More than 230 people, not including coup plotters, died andthousands were wounded as mutinous soldiers commandeered fighterjets, helicopters and tanks in the failed attempt to topple thegovernment.

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