Former AKP lawmaker detained over Gülen links

Lawyer İdris Şahin, a former AKP deputy from the Central Anatolian province of Çankırı and deputy chairman of the constitutional commission, was detained in an operation launched by the Çankırı police’s counter-smuggling and organized crime department. 

Searches were carried out in Şahin’s house and office.

Meanwhile, a total of 30 people were detained in an operation against FETÖ in the Central Anatolian province of Konya early on Aug. 31. 

The Konya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation over the failed seizure of the government and a total of 90 detention warrants were issued as part of the probe. 

Konya-based operations were carried out simultaneously in 22 provinces by counter-smuggling and organized crime department units. Operations were conducted at a total of 90 addresses, which resulted in 30 detentions.

Teachers and professors who were suspended after the coup bid were among the detained, as well as the Gülen movement’s suspected provincial and district “imams” and accountants. Police officers, who previously were on duty in Konya and now assigned to different provinces, were also detained in the operation. 

Searches were continuing to apprehend the suspects who couldn’t be found at their addresses. 

Books written by U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen were found in the searches conducted at the addresses, Doğan News Agency reported. 

Elsewhere, a total of 40 police officers, including high ranking officials, were arrested over links to Gülenists in the western province of İzmir on Aug. 31.

The police officers were arrested for “being members of an armed terrorist organization,” Anadolu Agency reported.