More than 154,000 faced legal probe over Gülen links since coup attempt

More than 154,000 people have faced legal probes over suspected links to the movement of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen since the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt, widely believed to have been masterminded by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). 

Legal procedures were carried out against some 154,694 suspects and 50,136 people were arrested over suspected links to FETÖ, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. 

According to the agency, some 2,431 judges and prosecutors on duty in the judiciary were arrested, in addition to 104 Supreme Court members, 41 members of the Council of State, two Constitutional Court members and three members from the Supreme Court of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). 

Some 6,982 soldiers, of whom 167 were generals, 8,816 police officers, 23 governors, 72 deputy governors, 112 district governors and 31,550 civilians and public servants were also arrested. 

A total of 45,708 of those detained were freed on condition of judicial control and 12,753 were freed after procedures in the security forces and court. 

Some 7,430 of those arrested were released, of whom 7,122 were freed on condition of judicial control. A total of 1,312 soldiers, 1,247 police officers, nine deputy governors, three governors, three district governors, 195 judges and prosecutors, two HSYK members, one Council of State member and eight members of the Supreme Court were also released. 

There are warrants for 7,112 suspects, of whom 6,353 were civilians and public servants, 221 judges and prosecutors, six Council of State members, 25 members of the Supreme Court, 137 soldiers, 369 police officers, three deputy governors and eight district governors.  

Some 665 suspects are still in detention....