50,510 people arrested in Gülen probe since coup attempt: Ministry

ANKARA

Turkey has arrested a total of 50,510 people accused of having links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), widely believed to have been behind the July 2016 failed coup attempt, the Justice Ministry said on July 13.

“Within the scope of investigations [launched after coup attempt], a total of 50,510 people have been arrested, including 169 generals, 7,098 colonels and lower ranking soldiers, 8,815 police department members, 24 governors, 73 deputy governors, 116 district governors, 2,413 judiciary members, and 31,784 other suspects,” the ministry said in a statement. 

The ministry also said 169,013 suspects have yet to face legal proceedings on suspicion of links to FETÖ since last year’s coup attempt. 

Among the 8,087 people sought over FETÖ charges and currently on the run, there are reportedly 152 soldiers, 392 police officers, three deputy governors, nine district governors, 265 judiciary members, and 7,266 other suspects. 

A total of 48,439 people, including 3,046 soldiers, 5,024 police officers, nine governors, 27 deputy governors, 73 district governors, 1,219 judiciary members, and 39,041 other suspects, were released with a judicial control decision, the ministry noted. 

Of the arrested 2,413 judiciary members, some 2,280 were judges and public prosecutors, 105 were members of the Supreme Court of Appeals, 41 were members of the Council of State, two were members of the Constitutional Court, and three were members of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors. 

Ankara says FETÖ is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.     

In the wake of the coup attempt, tens of thousands of people with alleged links to the movement have been detained, including many in the armed forces, police, judiciary, education and business sectors.