ANKARA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Constitutional Court has launched disciplinary actions against two judges over alleged links to cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose sympathizers are accused of being behind a recent coup attempt, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.
Judges Alparslan Altan and Erdal Tercan were detained one day after the coup attempt.
A rapporteur, appointed by the high court, will prepare an initial report on the claims, which will be submitted to the General Council of the Constitutional Court, Anadolu said.
If the council approves the launch of a full investigation, the high court will appoint a team of three to conduct the necessary probe.
The move against the two judges is part of a massive purge of hundreds of judges and prosecutors following the coup attempt that started on Friday night.
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Monday that a total of 208 people, including 145 civilians, were killed by the soldiers of the coup attempt and some 1,491 others were also wounded.
As many as 7,543 people -- 100 police officers, 6,038 soldiers from a number of ranks, 755 judges and prosecutors and 650 civilians -- were detained after the failed coup, Yildirim told a press conference in Ankara.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Interior Ministry has suspended 8,777 officials following the failed coup, including police officers, governors and gendarmerie officers.
