Turkey orders 532 detentions in military probe over Gülen links

Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detentions of 532 suspects over their links to the Gülen movement. Some 459 of those sought are on-duty military personnel.

Duvar English 

Turkish prosecutors ordered the arrest of 532 suspects including 459 serving military personnel in an operation targeting people linked to the network of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. 

Operations were launched in 62 provinces against suspected Gülenists, which is the group widely believed to have carried out the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt that left more than 250 people dead.

Istanbul prosecutors ordered the arrest of 258 suspects, with the serving personnel including four colonels, one lieutenant colonel, nine majors and 24 captains. Prosecutors in the Aegean province of İzmir sought the detention of 274 people, also mostly serving military personnel.

In the wake of the coup attempt, 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.

The Gülen movement is officially called the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).