Turkey issues detention warrants for 87 scholars in coup probe

ISTANBUL - Turkey issued detention warrants Friday for 87 academics over suspected links to a group led by a US-based cleric accused of masterminding a failed coup in July, Turkish media reported.

Police launched simultaneous operations in 12 cities to detain the suspects, including professors, associate professors and teaching academicians from Istanbul University, the Haberturk daily said, noting 51 suspects have been held.

The leader of a minor political party is also targeted, as his party is believed to be established by those who have supported the group led by Fetullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric now living in the United States but being sought by Ankara for his role in the coup attempt, the daily said.

Press reports said over 36,000 people have been arrested while some 100,000 state employees dismissed in the ongoing crackdown launched soon after the coup bid, in which 246 people were killed.