Turkey arrests 43 in new sweep against Erdogan foes

Turkey on Friday arrested 43 people in the central city of Konya in new raids against suspected supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's arch foe, the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, reports said. Those arrested included former police and education officials as well as the former rector of Konya's Mevlana University, Bahattin Adam, the state Anatolia news agency reported. Arrest warrants had earlier been issued for over 50 people, reports said. The detentions, which come just two weeks ahead of legislative elections on June 7, are just the latest against supporters of Gulen who are accused of trying to form a "parallel state" in a bid to oust Erdogan from power. Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan, has built up considerable influence over the last years in the judiciary and police, as well as through interests in the education and financial sectors. The authorities accuse Gulen of being behind stunning corruption allegations against Erdogan and his circle that broke in December 2013 and which the Turkish leader has vehemently denied. The suspects arrested Friday will be questioned before it is decided whether to release them or send them to court. Dozens of such raids have taken place against Gulen supporters since the summer of 2014. Foreign rights groups have expressed concern in recent months over the broad judicial campaign against groups in Turkish society deemed to be Gulen supporters.