Europe
5 years ago

Turkey orders arrest of 219 soldiers over failed coup in 2016

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Turkish authorities have issued detention warrants for at least 219 soldiers over their alleged links to a network blamed for a coup attempt in 2016.

The suspects, all on active service, include four colonels, according to the broadcaster NTV.

Police launched simultaneous operations after midnight to catch the suspects on the orders of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul, NTV noted on Friday.

The Turkish government blames US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen and his network for masterminding the failed coup in July 2016, in which 250 people were killed, and has been pushing for his extradition, reports Xinhua.

Ankara has been tightening operations against military suspects linked to the Gulen movement in recent days.

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