More than 1,000 detained in latest anti-terror raids

Ersin Çelik
11:0131/07/2017, Monday
U: 31/07/2017, Monday
REUTERS
File photo
File photo

Turkish authorities detained 1,098 people over the last week for suspected links to terrorist groups or last year's July 15 failed coup attempt, the interior ministry said on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said 831 of those were detained for suspected ties to Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ), which orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup attempt.

It said another 213 of those were suspected of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.

Forty-six people were detained over alleged links to Daesh, while 8 more were held for suspected ties to "leftist terrorist groups", the ministry said.

FETÖ terrorists are led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, who orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup attempt and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Since the failed coup, operations have been ongoing in the military, police and judiciary as well as in state institutions across the country to arrest suspects with alleged links to FETÖ.

The terrorist group is also known for its network comprised of hundreds of schools around the world.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.

The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.

#Turkey
#FETÖ
#PKK
#Daesh