Turkey detains 261,000, arrests 91,000 in post-coup crackdown on Gülen followers

Turkey detains 261,000, arrests 91,000 in post-coup crackdown on Gülen followers

Turkey has investigated 559,064 people for alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, which is accused of masterminding a 2016 coup attempt despite its strong denial of any involvement, as well as detaining 261,700 suspects over Gülen ties and arresting 91,287 since the abortive putsch, the interior minister told parliament on Wednesday.

Still, 26,952 people are in prison on allegations of Gülen movement membership including pre-trial detention, Süleyman Soylu said.

Following the coup attempt the Turkish government launched a large-scale crackdown targeting followers of the Gülen movement.

More than 130,000 public servants were fired by government decree, and thousands have fled to Europe to escape the unwarranted prosecutions. .turkishminute.com