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203,518 Gülen movement followers investigated thus far, Justice Ministry says

Turkish prosecutors have investigated 203,518 followers of the Gülen movement in the past five years, Justice Ministry data released on Monday indicated.

According to the data, 83,722 Gülen movement followers are currently standing trial, and 16,195 are in pretrial detention.

A total of 34,926 Gülen movement followers have been convicted, with 12,617 in prison, while the remainder is free on bail pending appeal.

A total of 13,992 defendants have been acquitted by the courts.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government accuses the Gülen movement of orchestrating a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, although the movement strongly denies the allegations.

Two hundred eighty-eight trials have been conducted countrywide on coup attempt charges, of which courts have reached verdicts in 180.

Six hundred thirty-six suspects received aggravated life sentences, while 888 were handed life sentences and 653 were given jail sentences varying from one year, two months to 20 years.

During the trials on coup attempt charges, 1,552 suspects were acquitted, and in 595 cases a decision of non-prosecution was made.

Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül on June 7 said the trials related to the Gülen movement would be finalized at the end of the year.

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