Over 35,000 suspects arrested in Turkey over Fethullah Gulen links: Media

A woman mourns over the coffin of a victim of the July coup attempt in Turkey, in Ankara, July 17, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Ankara has arrested a total of more than 35,000 people over alleged links to US-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in July.

Turkish broadcaster NTV on Sunday quoted Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying that the suspects had been placed under arrest since the attempted putsch and that Turkey’s government is going to arrest another 3,907 individuals over the same matter.

According to the official, some 82,000 people have been investigated in total since the failed coup and tens of thousands of people have been suspended, sacked or jailed in connection with the coup ever since.

At least 246 people were killed and more than 2,100 others sustained injuries in the coup attempt. The 75-year-old Gulen has condemned the coup and denied any involvement in the violence.

Turkey is seeking Gulen’s extradition from the United States.

People react after they take over a military position from putschists on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, July 16, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

A faction of the Turkish military declared itself in charge of the country on the night of July 15. Renegade military personnel made use of tanks and helicopters to fight loyalists to the incumbent government in Ankara and Istanbul.

The coup attempt was gradually suppressed as people turned to the streets to support President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party.

Turkey has also dismissed or suspended 87 staff members of the National Intelligence Organization, known as the MIT, as part of its post-coup purge.

The crackdown has raised concerns among European countries and human rights organizations, who have urged the Turkish government to show restraint and act within the rule of law.