Istanbul court arrests 17 policemen in 'parallel state' probe

Officers accused of being members of terrorist organization, espionage and attempting to topple Turkish government.

Istanbul court arrests 17 policemen in 'parallel state' probe
World Bulletin / News Desk
 
 An Istanbul court late on Saturday ordered the arrest of 17 out of 21 police officers detained as part of the "parallel state" probe.

The officers were accused of being members of a terrorist organization, espionage and attempting to topple the Turkish government.

The judge released four other officers, but they were banned from leaving the country.

Omer Turanli, the police officers' attorney, said he will continue the legal battle to the end.

An investigation was launched in July 2014 over allegations that phone calls of then prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, several ministers and the national intelligence chief, among many others, were illegally wiretapped.

Operations have been held across the country against the "parallel state," a movement allegedly formed by U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and his supporters. 

Turkish officials blame Gulen and his movement for masterminding a plot to overthrow the elected Turkish government via supporters in the judiciary, police and other institutions.

An Istanbul criminal court recently issued an arrest warrant for Gulen as part of a probe into the "parallel state" operation. Turkey wants Gulen to be extradited from the U.S., where he has lived since 1999. 

Güncelleme Tarihi: 15 Şubat 2015, 11:02
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