Turkey has detained a senior aide to the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen whom it blames for the failed coup aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Security forces detained Hails Hanci in the Black Sea province of Trabzon.
The officials described Hanci as a right-hand man of Gulen and responsible for transferring funds to him. The official said Hanci apparently entered the country two days before the failed coup that erupted late on 15th of July.
Turkey had already on Saturday detained one of Gulen’s nephews.
Turkey’s elite presidential guard is to be disbanded after nearly 300 of its members were detained following last week’s failed coup.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a TV channel that there is no need for the regiment. The Presidential guard numbers up to 2,500 soldiers but at least 283 were detained after the uprising.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched a widespread crackdown following the attempted coup, arresting thousands of service personnel and sacking or suspending thousands of government officials, school teachers and university heads.
A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday, allowing the President and cabinet to bypass Parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms.