Over 201,000 inmates in Turkish prisons: Justice Ministry

Rifat Başaran - ANKARA

REUTERS photo

There are over 201,000 convicts and people under arrest in Turkish prisons, according to figures released by the Justice Ministry. 

The number of convicts has decreased while the number of people under arrest has increased since a July 2016 coup attempt, according to the ministry.

Some 44,800 convicts were released as part of a state of emergency decree issued on Aug. 17, 2016. The total number of convicts and people under arrest was 191,423 before the July 2016 coup, believed to have been masterminded by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) led by the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. 

Justice Minister Undersecretary Kenan İpek said the total number of convicts and people under arrest was 201,177 as of Jan 4. 

Some 2,433 people members of the judiciary, administrative justice, Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeals, State Council and High Council for Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) have been arrested between the time of the coup and Jan. 4. 

Some 990 members were released on judicial control while 173 were released outright. A total of 3,882 judges and prosecutors have also been the subject of probes. 

According to the ministry, investigations were launched into 101,560 people over FETÖ, with 42,083 being arrested. The number of suspects was identified as 105,532. Before the foiled July 2016 coup, the number of inmates in Turkish prisons due to FETÖ links was 873. 

The ministry’s statement came in response to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu’s written questions on the matter.