Turkey detains 52 people over links to Gulen movement

ANKARA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security department on Friday detained 52 suspects over links to the movement run by Fetullah Gulen, who was deemed by Ankara as chief plotter behind the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

According to Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency, authorities have issued warrants for 80 suspects, including 48 ex-teachers at closed schools formerly run by the Gulen movement, and 12 active-duty majors and 20 lieutenants serving in the Gendarmerie General Command.

A total of 18 gendarmerie officers and 34 ex-teachers were detained in simultaneous raids across 12 provinces in the country, as reported.

Turkey accuses U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the failed putsch in July 2016 and has arrested thousands of suspects linked to Gulen's organization, most of whom work in military, public sectors, media and schools.

Gulen himself, who has lived in the United States since 1999, has denied his involvement and condemned the coup attempt. Enditem