Istanbul, June 25, (dpa/GNA) — Turkish authorities have detained 163 suspects in nationwide raids, over alleged ties to the Gülen movement, the state news agency Anadolu reported on Tuesday.
The Gülen movement, founded by late Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey.
Police carried out raids in Istanbul, Izmir, and dozens of other provinces as part of a broader investigation, targeting 176 individuals, 174 of whom are active duty armed forces members, Anadolu reported.
Authorities accuse the suspects of being covertly recruited, and placed within the military by the group, it added.
Ankara holds the group responsible for the failed coup attempt in 2016, a charge Gülen had repeatedly denied.
Once an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gülen broke ties with the government in 2013. Since then, Turkish authorities have routinely launched operations against alleged followers. Tens of thousands were purged from public service.
Long based in the US, Gülen died there in October.
GNA