19-03-2024 01:51 PM Jerusalem Timing

Turkish PM: More than 7,500 Arrested over Coup Attempt

Turkish PM: More than 7,500 Arrested over Coup Attempt

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Monday updated the media on the number of people arrested or killed over the coup attempt

Turkey has detained a whopping number of suspects over a botched coup attempt as the country intensifies the crackdown on those believed to have played a role in the abortive putsch.

YildrimTurkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Monday updated the media on the number of people arrested or killed over the coup attempt, saying more than 7,500 have been detained since the coup was declared over two days ago.

“So far 7,543 suspects have been detained. The numbers may change. It includes 100 police, 6,038 soldiers, 755 judges and prosecutors and 650 civilians,” Yildirim said, adding that 316 of the detainees have been remanded in custody.

The Turkish premier also gave a new toll of the victims of the military-led coup attempt, saying 208 people were killed, including 145 civilians, 60 police and three soldiers, adding that 1,491 others were also wounded as a result of the coup attempt which unfolded on Friday night.

Additionally, the military and the government say over 100 coup plotters have also been killed.

After the coup was declared over, Erdogan said on Saturday that the plotters will pay a "heavy price" for what they did to the security and stability of the country. That has triggered a massive crackdown on members of the military, the judiciary and journalists, with reports suggesting many have been discarded from their official positions due to alleged connections to plotters.