ISTANBUL, Nov 28 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkish police detained 79 suspects in nationwide operations, as part of terrorism-related investigations, media reported.
At least 25 people were apprehended by security forces over their suspected links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), in the western province of Izmir, north-western Balikesir, and southern Mersin.
Multiple digital materials and documents were also seized in the operations, according to the report.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for 30 years.
Interior Minister, Suleyman Soylu, said that, the number of “terrorists” which was between 2,475 and 2,780 in 2016 has dropped to 320. “Our goal is to reduce the number to less than 300 before the year is over.”
Meanwhile, as part of a separate investigation carried out against the suspected members of a network believed to be behind a coup attempt in 2016, 54 people were detained.
Police launched simultaneous operations in 17 provinces across the country, to capture the suspects who were believed to have links to the network. Those targeted in operations included expelled soldiers and military school students, it noted.
The Turkish government blames the network, headed by the U.S.-based Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, for being behind the coup bid in July 2016, in which 250 people were killed.
