ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish judicial authorities said on Sunday that around 6,000 people, among them many high-ranking military officials have been arrested for their involvement in Friday’s coup attempt.
Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said in a press conference that among those arrested are also some judges.
At least 3,000 soldiers have been arrested and some 2,700 judges sacked since the coup was put down, Bozdag stated.
Major General Ozhan Ozbakir, commander of the Denizli garrison and the 11th Commando Bridgade, is among the senior military figures arrested on Sunday, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
Commander of the Third Army Gen. Erdal Ozturk, and Gen. Adem Huduti, of the Second Army and former Chief of Air Staff Akin Ozturk are also reported to be among the arrested.
The justice minister revealed added that “more than 50 senior soldiers were detained in the western province of Denizli,”
"The clean-up operations are continuing,” he was quoted as saying. “the number of arrests will rise further.”
At least 265 people were killed during the coup attempt.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech that the coup was a "gift from God because this will be a reason to cleanse our army,” and he promised severe punishment for those behind the plot.
The large number of arrests has raised concerns among some world leaders, including US President Barak Obama have called on Ankara to show restraint in dealing with the outcome of the coup and “act within the rule of law.”
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