Detention warrants issued for 63 former intelligence personnel over Gülen links

The Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office issued detention warrants for 63 people, including 45 former National Intelligence Agency (MİT) personnel, on Sept. 12 over alleged links to Fethullah Gülen, a U.S.-based preacher widely believed to have masterminded last year's failed coup, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. 

The police operation was launched in 21 provinces across Turkey.

Nine suspects have been detained so far during the operations, according to Anadolu Agency. 

One of the retired MİT members, Enver Altaylı, was arrested on Aug. 27 upon a court order over accusations of having connections to the aides of Gülen after the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt, and of having an active role within the organization.

The 73-year-old diplomat started working for the MİT in 1968.

Separately, İzmir Katip Çelebi University (İKÇÜ) rector Prof. Dr. Galip Akhan resigned on Sept. 12 after the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) opened an investigation into him over alleged links to FETÖ, Doğan News Agency has reported. 

More than 50,000 people have been detained pending trial over alleged ties to the Gülen movement and 150,000 people have been dismissed or suspended from their jobs since last year's coup attempt.