Ankara Arrests Military Pilots In Postcoup Crackdown

Turkey has issued arrest warrants for 73 military pilots accused of involvement in an attempted coup in July.

Turkey's state news agency reported on October 27 that 45 pilots had been detained and another 28 were still being sought. The suspects include two colonels and 71 lieutenants.

The government has detained 35,000 people in connection with the attempted coup that left about 270 people dead.

In all, more than 80,000 people have been investigated and some 29,000 have been released into "judicial control."

Tens of thousands of people have been removed from government positions, including in the military, police, the judiciary, and education.

Turkey blames the attempted coup on followers of self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the United States. Gulen denies any involvement in the plot.

Based on reporting by dpa, AP, and Reuters