Turkey purge continues, with arrest of 283 presidential guards

Published July 23rd, 2016 - 08:00 GMT
Demonstrators attend a rally in support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sarachane park in Istanbul on July 19, 2016. (AFP/Aris Messinis)
Demonstrators attend a rally in support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sarachane park in Istanbul on July 19, 2016. (AFP/Aris Messinis)

At least 283 of Turkey’s Presidential Guard Regiment soldiers have been taken into custody on Friday for their alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to security sources.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking with the media, officials told Anadolu Agency the 283 soldiers were stationed at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

The suspects will be brought to the Palace of Justice in Ankara after police inquiry.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt on July 15, which killed at least 246 people and injured more than 2,100 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the "parallel state". 

Editor's note: This article has been edited from the source material

 

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