Ankara, September 18, 2024— Turkish police have detained 22 suspects in the western province of Izmir over their alleged involvement in a network accused of organizing the 2016 coup attempt.
State-run TRT reported that the police conducted multiple raids across Izmir city and nearby districts to apprehend individuals with suspected ties to the Gulen movement. The Turkish government has long accused the movement, led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, of orchestrating the failed coup.
The arrested individuals were reportedly using the movement’s encrypted communication tool, “ByLock,” and conducting questionable transactions through Bank Asya, which authorities say is affiliated with the Gulen network.
Ankara holds Fethullah Gulen responsible for the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which resulted in the deaths of at least 250 people. The Turkish government has since launched an extensive crackdown on those with alleged connections to the movement.
“The Turkish government has launched a massive crackdown on suspects with links to the network in the aftermath of the coup attempt,” reported the Xinhua News Agency.
This latest operation is part of the ongoing effort to dismantle the Gulen movement and prevent any resurgence of its activities within the country.
