Turkish media said that the Ministry of Education fired 15,200 people across the country. They were accused of links to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whom the Turkish government claims was behind last Friday’s uprising.

In addition, 8,777 Interior Ministry employees have been sacked, as well as 1,577 university deans. And 257 people working at the office of the prime minister were dismissed. The Directorate of Religious Affairs announced it has sacked 492 staff including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.

The firings come on top of the roughly 9,000 people who have been detained by the government, including security personnel, judges, prosecutors, religious figures and others.

Turkey said Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric, was behind the coup and has demanded his extradition. Gulen has denied any knowledge of the failed coup.

Turkey’s deputy prime minister said dossiers containing details of Gulen’s activities have been sent to the US.

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