July 17, 2016•Update: July 17, 2016
By Mustafa Dermencioglu and Ibrahim Suzer
DENIZLI, Turkey
More than 50 senior army officers linked to Friday’s military coup attempt were arrested in the western province of Denizli early Sunday, a security source said.
Those under arrest included Maj. Gen. Ozhan Ozbakir, commander of the Denizli garrison and the 11th Commando Brigade, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The 52 arrested were taken to Izmir province. Around 3,000 military personnel have been arrested over alleged involvement in the coup. Twenty pro-coup soldiers, including senior officers, were killed in the attempt to overthrow the government.
According to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim 161 people were martyred in the violence.
The government has said the coup bid was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-standing campaign to overthrow the government through supporters within the Turkish state, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
