The first decree also authorises the closure of 1,043 private schools, 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions over suspected links to the Gulen movement, the agency said. In the decree, published by the Anadolu state news agency, Erdogan extended to 30 days from four the maximum period in which some suspects can be detained. President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday tightened his grip on Turkey, ordering the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions in his first decree since imposing a state of emergency after the failed military coup last Friday. Erdogan accused US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen , who has many followers in Turkey and abroad, of masterminding the failed coup, in which at least 246 people were killed. Washington has said Ankara needs to provide clear evidence of Gulen’s involvement before it can agree to extradite him.

Source: Hindustan Times July 23, 2016 14:23 UTC