In a continued crackdown on suspected members of the Gulenist network, an Istanbul court on Monday ordered the arrest of 61 active-duty military officers accused of maintaining covert ties with the group between 2006 and 2018.

Turkish authorities confirmed that the arrests stem from a nationwide police operation conducted on May 23, during which 62 soldiers were detained in 36 provinces. Among those detained were four colonels, eight lieutenant colonels, 12 majors, 15 captains, and 24 non-commissioned officers.

Authorities allege that the suspects maintained secret contact with the outlawed movement through payphones and public kiosks—methods reportedly used to avoid detection and ensure operational secrecy within the military’s ranks.

One suspect was released under judicial supervision, while another remains at large.

The operation is part of the broader purge targeting followers of the late Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric who died in exile in 2024. The Turkish government accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed 2016 coup attempt and labels his network the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization" (FETO). Gulen had long denied involvement in the coup or any subversive activities against the Turkish state.

Since the attempted coup, Ankara has launched sweeping investigations and purges across public institutions. Over 150,000 public employees—including military personnel, police officers, teachers, and healthcare workers—have been dismissed from their posts. Additionally, more than 500,000 people have faced legal proceedings, including arrests and investigations, linked to alleged Gulenist affiliations.

Thousands of private institutions, including schools, universities, NGOs, media outlets, and banks, believed to be affiliated with the movement, have also been seized or shut down.

While the Turkish government defends the measures as vital for preserving national security and democratic order, critics argue that the post-coup purge has extended far beyond its initial targets, being used to suppress opposition and silence dissenting voices under the guise of anti-terrorism. (ILKHA)