Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrant for 30 members of the Turkish Naval Forces over alleged connections with the Gulen movement, which is deemed a “terrorist group” by the Turkish government, T24 reported on Wednesday.
Out of the 30 suspects, 12 are reportedly on active duty. Four colonels, three lieutenant colonels, two majors, seven captains, five first lieutenants, three lieutenats and six non-commissioned officers are included in the list, for which prosecutors are seeking arrest.
It was reported in the media that the defendants allegedly used pay phones to communicate with individuals involved in FETO (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization), a name coined by Turkey for those in the Gulen movement, which the country’s government blames for the 2016 military coup attempt.
Detentions that have been carried out by the Ankara Police Department are ongoing.
The Gulen movement is the name for sympathizers of Turkish-Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who has been in exile in the United States since 1999. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Gulen of being behind the July 15 coup attempt aiming to overthrow himself, while the latter denies the allegation.
The Turkish government launched a massive crackdown on the group in the wake of the coup attempt. More than 150,000 public servants have either been suspended, dismissed or imprisoned as part of the campaign. Thousands of academics, journalists, lawyers, judges and prosecutors have also been discharged or arrested.
Turkey Detains 85 Military Personnel Over Alleged Gulen Ties
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