Around 32,000 people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the failed coup of July 15, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has announced, while hinting at the possibility that new courtrooms might be built in some places based on necessity.
“There are around 32,000 arrests. The process is still continuing. As there might be new arrests within the scope of evidence, information and findings in the investigation during this process, there might also be those among the arrested who will be released on probation or released directly. The number may increase and decrease since this is a dynamic process” Bozdağ said in an interview with NTV.
Legal proceedings have been launched against a total of 70,000 people as part of the probe, he said.
The minister also stated that there were shortcomings in terms of courtrooms in some places, signaling that new ones would be built if required. He said there was no such need in Istanbul but noted that the construction works of another in the Sincan district of Ankara was still ongoing.
Bozdağ also added that more than 1,500 guardians with suspected links to the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) had been suspended from their duties so far.
Asked whether there would be another delegation visit to the U.S. regarding the extradition request of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is suspected of leading the July 15 attempt, Bozdağ said they would apply to the U.S. Department of Justice for a new appointment this week to discuss the issue.
He also stated that U.S. experts would express their final evaluation on Ankara’s temporary arrest request of the 75-year-old preacher within a couple of days.
“They will take a position on our temporary arrest request and they said they would express the result within a coup of days” Bozdağ said.