Turkey orders arrest of 249 foreign ministry personnel over Gulen links
Turkish prosecutors on Monday ordered the arrest of 249 current and former foreign ministry personnel over alleged ties to a US-based cleric accused of orchestrating the foiled 2016 coup, local sources reported.
At least 91 of those have been arrested, state-run Anadolu news agency said.
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.
The arrests are the latest in a sweeping crackdown by the Turkish authorities, in which tens of thousands have been incarcerated following the coup attempt.
To remind, more than 77,000 people have been jailed pending trial since the coup and widespread arrests are still routine. Authorities have suspended or sacked 150,000 civil servants and military personnel.