Turkey orders arrest of 158 suspects with links to Muslim cleric Gulen, accused of being behind 2016 coup attempt — RT World News
Turkish authorities ordered the arrests of 158 suspects. This includes 33 active-duty soldiers. These men are alleged to have links with FethullahGulen, the Muslim cleric Ankara accuses of orchestrating the 2016 failed coup attempt.
The investigations, carried out by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, spanned 41 provinces, state-owned Anadolu agency said on Tuesday. The operation resulted in 97 arrests, while the ongoing search is being conducted.
There were 158 people wanted. 48 of them were active and ex-military personnel. 110 others were expelled former military officers who were dismissed following the coup attempt.
These arrests were part of an ongoing series of recent crackdowns on individuals accused of being connected to the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization, which Turkey has referred to as.
Massnews.com also available
Turkey makes 500 arrests for suspects suspected to have links to US-based Gulen clerics
Istanbul and Izmir prosecutors ordered 532 arrests of military personnel in April as part of a 62-province operation, which also covered Turkish-controlled north Cyprus.
The group, allegedly led by the US-based Muslim preacher, has been accused by Ankara’s authorities of being behind the failed coup attempt in July 2016, which saw at least 250 people killed. Gulen is a former ally and now foe to President Recep Tayyip Erdan. He has been living in exile in the US since 1999. He denied any involvement in the coup.
After the military coup to overthrow Erdogan’s government, around 80,000 people were taken into custody pending their trial. 150,000 civilian servants and military staff were ousted or demoted.
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