Turkish Police Detain 4,015 Suspected Putschists In Cell Houses Since 2016

ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2021 ) :Turkish security forces have detained 4,015 suspected putschists in nationwide operations carried out in cell houses since 2016, the state-run Anadolu agency reported Wednesday.

Police units have so far conducted 265 operations in cell houses used by the members of a network accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016, said the report.

According to Anadolu, Fethullah Gulen, U.S.

-based Turkish cleric-cum-head of the network, ordered the members to hide in these cell houses without being exposed.

Mehmet Biricik, who was allegedly in charge of the cell houses, was also detained in Istanbul during a recent raid. Biricik is also accused of providing financial support to those hiding in the cell houses.

The Turkish government blames Gulen and his network for masterminding the coup bid in July 2016, in which 250 people were killed.