Turkey orders detention of 73 air force pilots

AFP, ANKARA: Turkish authorities ordered the detention of 73 air force pilots as part of the probe into the group blamed for July’s failed coup, state media reported Thursday.

At least 45 had already been detained after police operations began Thursday across the country including the central Konya province and the capital Ankara, the official Anadolu news agency said.
The pilots are suspected of links to the group led by Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim preacher whom Turkey accuses of ordering the July 15 putsch attempt.
Gulen, living in self-exile in Pennsylvania, strongly denies the allegations.
The accusations listed in the warrants for the pilots include “violating the constitution”, being part of “an armed rebellion against the Turkish Republic” as well as “acting on behalf of the (Gulen) organisation”, Dogan news agency reported.

Turkey orders detention of 73 air force pilots

AFP, ANKARA: Turkish authorities ordered the detention of 73 air force pilots as part of the probe into the group blamed for Julys failed coup, state media reported Thursday. At least 45 had already been detained after police operations began Thursday across the country including the central Konya province and the capital Ankara, the official Anadolu news agency said. The pilots are suspected of links to the group led by Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim preacher whom Turkey accuses of ordering the July 15 putsch attempt. Gulen, living in self-exile in Pennsylvania, strongly denies the allegations. The accusations listed in the warrants for the pilots include violating the constitution, being part of an armed rebellion against the Turkish Republic as well as acting on behalf of the (Gulen) organisation, Dogan news agency reported.