|

10 arrested in Izmir in 'parallel state' investigation

Turkey's fight against Gülen's illicit network continues unabated; 10 followers put behind bars in Izmir for illegal activities

Ersin Çelik
09:56 - 23/12/2015 Çarşamba
Update: 10:03 - 23/12/2015 Çarşamba
Yeni Şafak

Ten of 26 suspects were arrested on Wednesday after being brought before the court in the western city of Izmir in the parallel state investigation.



They were found guilty of illegally collecting money for Gülen's illicit network through aid, scholarship and forced donations through threats and blackmail.



Police in Izmir detained 34 people for alleged ties with the parallel state led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen. The raids on Dec. 18 were based on warrants issued by the Izmir chief public prosecutor's office.



"In line with the evidence, the prosecutor's office issued warrants for over 57 suspects, including businessmen, lawyers and a bureaucrat," the prosecutor's office said.



The government has accused Gülen's loyalists of infiltrating state institutions, such as the police and the judiciary, to gain control of the state, illegally wiretapping thousands of people, senior officials, forging documents and spying for foreign intelligence organizations.



The parallel state has been labelled a national security threat by the National Security Council (MGK). The Security Council considers the self-exiled Muslim cleric's dissident group a serious threat to national security.



#parallel state
#İzmir
#illicit network
#prosecutor
8 yıl önce