ISTANBUL

Turkish police arrested 97 people in Istanbul over their suspected links to the far-left DHKP-C terror group, a security source said on Thursday.

This came after Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 120 suspects.

Police’s anti-terrorism teams conducted simultaneous operations in 12 provinces and arrested 97 suspects, said the source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The suspects were taken to the courthouse and 49 of them were remanded in custody, while remaining 48 were released under judicial control, it added.

The suspects are accused of plotting attacks and being senior members of DHKP-C’s so-called structures, namely "armed propaganda union", "illegal zone", "resistance assembly", "people's assembly", "area committee" and "neighborhood committee".

The DHKP-C is responsible for a number of terror attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 attack on the US Embassy in Ankara, which martyred a Turkish security guard.

The group is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin