Ex-Istanbul police chief, others detained in anti-coup probe

Turkey detains a former police chief, several governors and nine journalists as part of the probe into the movement allegedly behind last month’s abortive coup, according to state media.

The Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office issued a detention order for former Istanbul police chief Huseyin Capkin, an unnamed governor and two district governors, after new evidence surfaced in its investigation into the finances of the movement led by US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. The Anadolu news agency says Capkin was detained in the western city of Izmir.

Ankara alleges Gulen was responsible for the violent July 15 coup attempt that left over 270 people dead. The cleric himself denies any involvement.

Nine journalists, meanwhile, are detained in police operations in Istanbul, Ankara and the northwestern province of Kocaeli, according to Anadolu.

The operations come after the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office issues detention orders for 35 journalists with alleged ties to the Gulen movement. Eighteen of the journalists have left the country and authorities are still searching for the remaining eight.

— AP