Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gesture as he delivers a speech to members of his ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party, during its weekly meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Erdogan has reacted angrily to a group of some 300 well-known French personalities who urged prominent Muslims, by signing a manifesto which was published in Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday, to denounce anti-Jewish and anti-Christian references in the Quran, Islam's holy book. (Kayhan Ozer/Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)
Republished May 11, 2018 - 12:07 AM
Original Publication Date May 10, 2018 - 1:46 AM
ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's state-run news agency says prosecutors have issued detention warrants for 300 military personnel suspected of links to a network led by a U.S.-based cleric, whom Turkey says was behind a failed coup attempt in 2016.
Anadolu Agency said the warrants were issued Friday as Turkey presses ahead with a large-scale crackdown against Fethullah Gulen's network. Gulen has denied involvement in the coup.
Around half of the suspects were detained Friday. The agency said that 211 suspects were currently serving in the military.
Separately, prosecutors also ordered the arrest of 21 people suspected of leaking police academy entrance exam questions in 2012 to fellow Gulen followers.
Turkey's crackdown after the coup has resulted in about 50,000 arrests. More than 110,000 people were purged from state jobs, including in the military.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018