Intelligence minister assures security along Iran-Turkey border

EghtesadOnline: Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi underlined that security is prevalent along Iran-Turkey borders.

News ID: ۷۶۸۱۸۷

17 July 2016

“The borders are under control in Turkey’s borders,” Alavi said in reaction to the recent development in Turkey.

“We hope security and stability for Turkey,” he added.

According to ILNA, Turkish government officials said the army factions that have staged the coup are receiving orders from Islamist opposition leader Fetullah Gulen who is in exile in the US. Hundreds of Gulen's followers in the army, police and judiciary were arrested and jailed last year. Prosecutors in Turkey's capital announced on Wednesday that 'Ankara has prepared a file for extraditing the US-based preacher Gulen, who is accused of leading a terrorist organization, as well as trying to infiltrate and overthrow the elected government'.

Fetullah Gulen and his supporters issued a statement last night to 'condemn the coup' in an apparent attempt to distance themselves from government accusations.

The opposition, including the Kurdish minority, has also condemned the coup attempt.

Turkey is a NATO member, which has been convulsed by military takeovers at least three times over the past half-century. The coup has taken the lives of 265 people, including 41 policemen, 49 civilians and 104 coup supporters, and injured 1,440 others. Also 2,900 pro-coup forces have been arrested so far.