Kyrgyz nationals who study at schools affiliated with the Gülen movement as well as their families are being denied visas to Turkey, according to Deputy Education Minister Orhan Erdem.
Speaking to a Bursa gathering that was attended by academics from Kyrgyzstan on Friday, Erdem said people who interact with Gülen-linked schools are not welcome in Turkey.
“Please ask your acquaintances, friends and brothers not to go to these terrorists’ schools. Because it is highly likely that we are denying visas to those who study at such schools. We do not even want to see their families in Turkey,” the deputy minister said.
The Turkish government accuses the movement of leading the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, while the movement denies any involvement. All schools, companies, newspapers and any other institutions affiliated the movement have been confiscated and more than 120,000 people have been detained over ties to the group since last summer.
Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on foreign governments to punish Gülen followers in their own countries. (Turkey Purge)