At least 1,300 suspects arrested in one week: Interior ministry

ANKARA

AA photo

At least 1,300 suspects allegedly linked to terrorist organizations have been arrested in Turkey over the past seven days, the Interior Ministry said March 6.      

Among them were 920 suspected members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which is believed to have been behind the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt. Some 45 of those suspects were remanded in custody, the statement said.      

Some 386 outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and 12 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) suspects were arrested.      

Police also detained 12 people over alleged links to a leftist group.      

Two terrorists were killed, seven were captured, and another surrendered to security forces in operations, the statement added.      

Security forces destroyed 18 improvised explosive devices and 23 shelters, while seizing 900 kilograms of explosive-making materials, 3 grenades and 25 weapons.      


Anti-drug operations      

Security forces conducted 590 anti-drug operations across 72 provinces in an effort to curtail finances sent to organizations. 

During the operations, security officers seized various amounts of narcotic drugs including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and opiates.      

More than 688,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes and 138,000 liters (36,455 gallons) of smuggled oil were also seized.      

The operations also saw the arrest of 806 suspects, 49 of whom were remanded in custody.