Turkey Arrests, Suspends Thousands Of Police In Latest Anti-Gulen Crackdown

Turkey has once again cracked down heavily in wiping out virus from government institutions and raids were conducted across the nation that resulted with the arrest of over 1,000 people and more than 9,100 police are suspended alleged to have link with the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is accused to have orchestrated the failed coup attempt in July 2015 against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A police statement reveals 9,103 officers have been suspended for supporting Gulen, who is living in exile sine 1999 and on several occasions the US has been asked to extradite him.

Just more than a week ago the president narrowly won a referendum on ramping up his powers.

Anadolu news agency reports a total of 1,120 suspects have been arrested in the nationwide dawn raids.

Since the failed coup attempt about 47,000 people have been arrested under state of emergency in the nine months period of time. Following the referendum the emergency period has been further extended for another three months to July 19.

Meanwhile, German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said his government has taken note of the mass detention with concern and has urged the Turkish government to respect rule of law.