Turkey: 32 judges, prosecutors remanded over coup bid

By Filiz Kinik

ISTANBUL (AA) – More than 30 judges detained for alleged links to Turkey’s failed coup have been remanded in custody.

Istanbul's Criminal Court of Peace has remanded 32 out of 86 arrested judges and prosecutors, a judicial source – speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media – told Anadolu Agency.

The 86 suspects had been initially charged with attempting to overthrow the government.

Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had ordered arrest warrants for 110 judges and prosecutors after Friday’s failed coup; police detained 86 of those suspects.

The court has interrogated 48 suspects so far, 32 of those have been remanded in custody while 16 have been released under restrictions.

Turkey's government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming a ‘parallel state’.

At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred during the failed putsch, and over 1,530 others were wounded as they protested against it.

*Ilker Girit contributed to this report from Istanbul.