Turkey issues arrest warrants for over 150 alleged Gulenists

More than 150 military officers, teachers and trade unionists faced arrest warrants by Turkish prosecutors on Friday, as authorities extend their clampdown against the opposition Gulen network.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

02 March, 2018

President Erdogan has responded with thousands of arrests since the failed coup [Getty]

Turkish prosecutors issued arrest warrants for more than 150 military officers, teachers and trade unionists on Friday,

The warrants included 16 navy officers, all of whom were taken into custody, AP reported.

Sixty-six dismissed teachers and 72 trade union members were also of those ordered detained.

Ankara has accused Fethullah Gullen, a US-based cleric, for masterminding a failed coup attempt in 2016 – a charge he denies.

Turkey launched a massive crackdown following the failed coup, leading to the arrest of some 50,000 people and more than 110,000 dismissed from state jobs.

Ankara has also stepped up arrests since launching Operation Olive Branch against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria on 20 January.

Hundreds have been arrested since the military offensive began more than one month ago.

Turkish authorities have said they would prosecute anyone who criticises Operation Olive Branch.