Turkey seeks to detain 103 active duty soldiers over coup links

Prosecutors in Istanbul on Friday issued detention orders for 103 active duty soldiers over alleged links to an Islamic cleric accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt, according to state news agency Anadolu.

The 103 suspects are sought for alleged links to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whom Ankara blames for the coup attempt. Turkey brands Gulen's global movement a terrorist organisation – an accusation that Gulen denies.

Police carried out raids in 23 provinces and a total of 74 suspects have been detained so far, Anadolu said.

The Turkish armed forces have been hit hard by near daily purges since the failed putsch.

More than 15,000 personnel, including 150 generals and admirals, have been purged from the military since the failed coup, according to Defence Minister Hulusi Akar.    (dpa)