Turkey Releases 1,200 Troops

Ankara, 19 Syawwal 1437/24 July 2016 (MINA) – Turkey’s Public Prosecutor Harun Kodalak declared on Saturday releasing 1,200 troops who had been detained during the recent futile putsch.

The Anadolu news agency quoted the prosecutor as saying that these soldiers were not involved in the foiled coup de ‘tat, adding senior officers remained behind iron bars.

Investigations and interrogations are proceeding for detained soldiers who argued that they did not know that there was a bid to overthrow the government and that they did not open fire at citizens.

“We will seek to release rapidly those who were misguided” by Fethullah Gulen group, he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames Gulen, a longtime bitter rival, for the attempted coup that began Friday night, leaving at least 232 people dead and leading to mass arrests and dismissals.

Under the U.S.-Turkey extradition agreement, Washington can only extradite a person if he or she has committed an “extraditable act.” Treason — such as that implied by Erdogan’s demand for Gulen’s extradition — is not listed as such an act in the countries’ treaty. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)