Turkey detains nephew of Erdogan's arch-foe after coup attempt

Turkey detained a nephew of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen on Saturday after last week's failed coup, the first time one of his relatives has been arrested in the ongoing crackdown.

Muhammet Sait Gulen will be taken to the capital Ankara after he was detained in Erzurum, the eastern region where his 75-year-old uncle is said to have developed his deep convictions, close to his birthplace of Korucuk, state-run media reported.

Erzurum is thought to be home to many Gulen supporters and members of his Hizmet movement, which Turkish authorities say was behind the bloody attempted power grab on July 15.

Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based arch-foe of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is accused of "masterminding" the failed coup through his movement, a claim he strongly denies.

The nephew was detained in connection with the coup, which Turkey says was organised by the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation".

State media said he was also wanted over the leak of questions from 2010 civil service exams.

	Pro-Erdogan supporters hang an effigy of Gulen [Getty]

In May this year, another nephew of the former imam in self-imposed exile was detained in connection with schools run by the movement.

In Erzincan, another province believed to be home to many Gulenists, an investigation was launched on Saturday into 263 civil servants while 45 people were arrested.

Followers of Gulen have held prominent positions in Turkey's security and civil services, media and business - although less so after purges of recent years.

In a new tactic against suspected coup plotters, Turkey on Saturday announced it had seized more than 2,250 social, educational or health care institutions and facilities that it claims pose a threat to national security.

Erdogan also sharply criticised Western countries that expressed concern about possible human rights violations in the sweeping purges the government has carried out after the July 15 failed military coup that have left at least 10,000 people in jail and another 60,000 tossed out of their jobs.