ISTANBUL
Police on Sunday detained 16 police officers out of 21 suspected of involvement in illegal eavesdropping and spying on high-ranking officials.
Earlier Istanbul public prosecution office issued warrants for the 21 suspects on charges of "illegal wiretapping and espionage" as part of an ongoing 'parallel state' operation.
Counter-terrorism teams launched operations in 12 provinces of Turkey, which was being seen as a move against the "parallel state," a movement allegedly formed by the U.S.-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, and his supporters. They deny the charges.
Istanbul public prosecutor launched an investigation last July over allegations that phones calls of the then prime minister, several ministers and chief of national intelligence among many others were illegally wiretapped.
Turkish officials blame Gulen and his movement for masterminding a plot to overthrow the elected Turkish government via its supporters in the judiciary, police and other institutions.
Turkey wants Gulen to be extradited from the U.S., where he lives since 1999. An Istanbul criminal court recently issued an arrest warrant for Gulen as part of a probe into the "parallel state" operation in December 2014.
