Istanbul prosecutors order detention of 210 military personnel over alleged Gulen links

Prosecutors in Istanbul have ordered the detention of 210 military personnel over suspected links to the network blamed by Ankara for orchestrating a failed 2016 military coup. The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said on Friday the suspects from the air, marine and land forces, as well as the gendarmerie and coast guard, included five colonels, seven lieutenant colonels, 14 majors, and 33 captains, Reuters reports. They were suspected of being supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by Turkish authorities of masterminding the failed putsch three years ago. Gulen has denied any role. Ankara’s chief prosecutor reportedly ordered the detention of 41 people believed to be members of the network. More than 77,000 people have been jailed pending trial since the coup, and authorities have suspended or sacked 150,000 civil servants and military personnel.