ANKARA (Sputnik) – Turkish police on Tuesday detained 18 suspects thought to be part of the “parallel state” movement, which authorities say seeks to overthrow the government, during raids in 13 provinces, local media reported.
According to the Daily Sabah newspaper, senior police officials are among the 18 detainees.
In 2014, Turkey opened an investigation into the “parallel state” organization for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government, headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish authorities say that the group is led by the US-based cleric and outspoken critic of the president, Fethullah Gulen, who is expected to stand trial in absentia on terrorism charges.