Izmir, Turkey, Sept. 7

By Maksim Tsurkov – Trend:

Eighteen of 31 employees of Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim have already been released, Petkim’s head Anar Mammadov told reporters in Turkey’s Izmir Sept. 7.

They were earlier detained on suspicion of having ties with the movement of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of organizing the July 15 military coup attempt in Turkey.

The decision on the remaining 13 Petkim employees will be made by a court, added Mammadov.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246, excluding the coup plotters, and over 2,000 people were wounded.

Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

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