Turkey suspends 1,500 prison personnel and guards in post-coup probe - minister

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag addresses the Turkish Parliament during a debate in Ankara in this March 19, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/Files

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish authorities have suspended 1,500 prison personnel and guards over links with the U.S.-based cleric Turkey accuses of orchestrating the failed July coup, justice minister Bekir Bozdag said. Speaking at an event in the Turkish capital, Bozdag said the prison personnel and guards were temporarily suspended to remove individuals linked to the cleric Fethullah Gulen in Turkish prisons, but could be sacked if concrete links were found. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk)