Three policemen arrested in ‘parallel state’ operation

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

Three police officers have been arrested in Ankara on allegations that they had engaged in illegal wiretapping for what the government describes as the “parallel state,” the movement of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

A criminal court of peace in Ankara ordered the arrest of Muharrem Durmaz, the former deputy Ankara police chief responsible for the intelligence branch, and two police officers as part of the case on March 18.
 
Durmaz and two other constables, Osman Gülbel and Hakan Kirpi, were interrogated in the evening hours of March 17 before the magistrate ruled for the arrest of the policemen, who were accused of forging official documents. Gülbel, however, was subsequently released subject to judicial oversight.

Meanwhile, Abdullah S., another police chief, and police officer Hasan G. were arrested in operations in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas that were launched on March 13.  The former head of the Sivas province intelligence branch, F.A., third-degree police chief Ş.P., chief superintendent C.K. and police commissioner M.A. were released subject to judicial oversight, which includes an overseas travel ban.