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2 more detained as part of Karaman-based operation targeting Gülen movement

Two more people were detained as part of Karaman-based operation targeting Gülen movement — a grassroots initiative comprising people inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen – across Turkey Sunday.

Police detained 2 more people – identified by initials F.K. and Y.Y. — as part of Karaman-based operation also carried out in Ankara and Konya provinces on Sunday.

Detention warrants were issued for a total of 33 people, including doctors, lawyers, teachers and businessmen, by Karaman Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of the same investigation on May 29.

Two out of 20 people who were previously detained as part of the operation were arrested, while 18 of then were released pending trial with 17 of them placed under judicial supervision.

The arrests and detentions were carried out on suspicion of being a member of the so-called the “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Structure (FETÖ/PDY),” which is used by the government-backed judiciary to frame sympathizers of the Gülen movement.

Since a corruption investigation came to public attention on Dec. 17, 2013, there have been many similar police operations carried out targeting shopkeepers, teachers, members of the judiciary, journalists and police officers who are accused of being affiliated with the Gülen movement, which is also known as the Hizmet movement. The graft probe implicated then-Prime Minister Erdoğan, members of his family and senior Justice and Development Party (AK Party) figures.

Erdoğan accused the Gülen movement of plotting to overthrow his government and said that sympathizers of the movement within the police department had fabricated the graft scandal. Since then, hundreds of police officers have been detained and some arrested for alleged illegal activity in the course of the corruption investigation. Erdoğan said he would carry out a “witch hunt” against anyone with links to the movement. The Gülen movement strongly rejects the allegations brought against it.

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