Three Turkish diplomats seeking asylum in Germany after coup attempt: Report

ISTANBUL - Reuters

US-based Islamic preacher is believed to have been orchestrated the attempted July 15 failed coup

At least three Turkish diplomats, reportedly including one military attache, are seeking asylum in Germany in the wake of the failed military coup in Turkey, believed to have been masterminded by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), German media cited government sources as saying. 

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has recalled an unknown number of diplomatic passports since the failed seizure of government. 

Representatives of the German Interior Ministry told members of the Bundestag lower house of parliament that three Turkish diplomats in Germany had applied for asylum, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and broadcasters NDR and WDR said. 

Sueddeutsche cited government sources as saying the number could be higher by now. It also cited them as saying the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) had not yet decided on the applications. 

The diplomats are suspected of being followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, the report said. 

Neither the German Interior Ministry nor the BAMF could be immediately reached for comment. The Turkish Embassy declined to comment on the report. 

Around 32,000 people have been jailed pending trial during Turkey's post-coup crackdown, while around 100,000 members of the security and civil services, university professors and others have been fired or suspended from work.