"It is necessary to urgently, preventing rumors and disagreements within the party, to start sorting out the party ranks from those who supported the disgusting coup attempt and is linked to Fethullah Gulen's terrorist organization," the notice, signed by AKP deputy chair Hayati Yazici, reads.
On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country, which was suppressed the next day. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt. The Turkish government said that Gulen who, Ankara believes, is seeking to overthrow the current government was allegedly linked to a coup attempt.
Gulen is said to be the main suspect in the December 17-21, 2013, mass wiretapping investigation that targeted over 7,000 people.