Turkish police on Friday arrested 127 people accused of following in the footsteps of Fethullah Gulen in police raids in 14 provinces. The alleged “Gulenists” themselves are accused of deliberately spreading COVID-19 and engaging in homosexual relations, the Demirören news agency reported.
Supporters of self-exiled Turkish imam Fethullah Gulen – and himself – are accused by the Turkish government of carrying out the failed coup in 2016. Gulen denies any involvement or involvement in the failed coup.
The new detainees, who include 17 former police commanders, seven army officers and 43 non-commissioned officers, are being investigated in two separate investigations.
According to the news agency, the detainees are accused of providing financial support to the families of people behind bars for alleged links to the alleged Gulen network, suspicious communications between them via the Internet and online games, and plans to escape. abroad.
They also face accusations that are unusual for Gulen supporters, such as the deliberate spread of COVID-19, engaging in homosexual relationships, living beyond their means, and wasting Gulen network money on prostitutes.
It should be noted that some of these charges, for example homosexuality, are not crimes under Turkish law.
In addition, the police presented a book copy, found at the home of a captured, which was issued by the daily newspaper “Zaman” as a proof of participation in the Gulen Network.
The “Zaman” newspaper, which was considered Gulen, was shut down by the government after the 2016 coup attempt.
Add to this the fact that books published in the past by organizations or publishing houses that were later linked to the alleged “Gulenist” network are considered by Turkish authorities to be evidence of involvement in a terrorist organization, forcing thousands of Turks to destroy hundreds of thousands of books. to avoid being accused of being terrorists.
Friday’s arrests come as Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is shaken by allegations by a Turkish mafia leader, Sedat Peker, who has made scandalous revelations on his channel. on YouTube about the relationship between some government officials and organized crime.
