22 coup suspects remanded in southern Turkey

By Sezgin Pancar

MERSIN, Turkey (AA) - Twenty-two people, including a high-ranking naval officer, have been remanded in custody for alleged links to last Friday's deadly coup attempt in the southern province of Mersin early Wednesday.

The 22 suspects include a commodore, seven soldiers and 14 police officers.

The commodore Nejat Atilla Demirhan, the garrison commander in the Mersin province and in the Mediterranean region, had reportedly proclaimed himself "state of siege garrison commander" during the coup attempt.

Other suspects include senior naval officers such as Lt. Cmdr. Ilhan Tabur and Lt. Tuncay Kabukci.

The deadly coup attempt occurred late Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

Turkey's government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

The failed coup left 240 people martyred, including 62 police officers, five soldiers and 173 civilians. Approximately 1,500 people were injured.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 7,543 people, including 100 police officers, 6,038 soldiers, 755 judges and prosecutors and 650 civilians had since arrested.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Can Erozden contributed to this report from Ankara.