Turkey to detain 238 for suspected involvement in 2016 coup

(MENAFN) According to a report by semi-official Anadolu Agency, on Tuesday, Jan. 19, Turkey's prosecutors released arrest warrants for a number of 238 people, comprising military persons, for their suspected involvement in a network supposed to be behind a coup attempt in 2016.

Turkish police initiated major actions in a number of 60 cities around the country and arrested 160 of the suspects supposedly associated with the U.S.-based Muslim preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is charged by Ankara of being behind the failed coup in July 2016 that left 250 people dead.

Anadolu reported that amongst the suspects were 218 serving military recruits, comprising six colonels, three lieutenant colonels and nine majors. They are charged of maintaining regular contact with the members of the Gulen movement over payphone.

It further said that prosecutors in Izmir Province also released warrants for suspects in northern Cyprus where the Turkish military is installed.