To make 'more space for coup plotters', Turkey releases over 30,000 prisoners

Ankara: In a bid to make more space available for coup plotters' in Turkish jails, the country has ordered the release of nearly 34,000 prisoners.

According to a report in the Independent, the move was aimed at putting behind bars all those accused in last month's attempted coup to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

While releasing the prisoners, authorities took into consideration some guidelines. Those prisoners who had served half of their sentence were pardoned the remaining half and were set free.

Read: Turkey's failed military coup: What we know

However, those who were serving jail term for severe crimes including rape and murder were not released.

Turkish analysts say that this will make space for those who were behind the failed military coup. This move comes in the wake of recent coup attempt that was followed by several arrests.

After the failed coup, government blamed US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, for the plot that killed at least 270 people, and labeled the network a terror organisation.

So far, Turkey has arrested thousands of people, accusing them of being behind the coup.

Read: Turkey coup prisoners starved, beaten and raped, claims Amnesty

Moreover, in the wake of the arrests over the attempted military coup, a report by Amnesty International revealed that the prisoners were starved, beaten, hogtied and even raped.

Human rights group Amnesty International said that it had "credible evidence" of the abuse and torture of people detained in sweeping arrests since Turkey's July 15 coup.