Turkey orders arrest of 330 people over alleged Gülen links

In operations spanning several provinces, Turkish prosecutors ordered the arrest of 330 people over their alleged links to the Gülen network. The suspects include serving and former soldiers as well as expelled military students.

Tuesday October 19 2021 07:54 pm

Duvar English

Turkish prosecutors ordered the arrest of 330 suspects in nationwide simultaneous operations targeting people allegedly linked to the Gülen network, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported on Oct. 19.

The investigation launched by the İzmir prosecutors, stretching across 41 provinces, is seeking the arrest of 158 people, including 48 serving and former military personnel as well as 100 military students who were expelled in the wake of the failed coup attempt of the July 2016.

So far 97 people have been detained in the investigation launched by the İzmir prosecutors, Anadolu news agency said.

Two separate Ankara-based operations, spanning 18 provinces, are seeking another 123 people over their alleged links to the Gülen network. Among the 123 suspects are 50 expelled military students as well as "secret imams" who are believed to have infiltrated very state structures.

A separate Balıkesir-based operation, spanning 22 provinces, ordered the arrest of 46 people, including serving military personnel and police officers.

And a Samsun-based operation saw the detention of three people, including two former military students as well as a serving teacher.

Following the failed military takeover, about 80,000 people were held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others were sacked or suspended. More than 20,000 people have been expelled from the Turkish military.