Some 35,000 people have been held for questioning, and more than 18,000 of them have been formally arrested to face trial, including soldiers, police, judges and journalists.
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According to ARD, the document noted that “the numerous statements of solidarity and action of support for the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and groups of armed Islamist opposition in Syria by the ruling party AKP and President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan underline their ideological affinity to the Muslim Brothers”.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag tweeted that about 38,000 prisoners would be eligible for parole after having served half of their prison terms, as opposed to the standard two-thirds.
The prisoners have been released to accommodate the people who have been arrested for plotting a coup against the government.
Convicts with up to two years left of their sentences are eligible for release on probation.
As of January 13, Turkey had 179,611 people in its jails, which have a capacity of 183,871, according to the prisons administration.
He said 79,900 people had been removed from public duty, referring to purges in the civil service that have targeted the military, police, teachers and judiciary.
Turkish police on Tuesday searched the offices of a nationwide retail chain and a healthcare and technology company, detaining executives who authorities accuse of helping finance Gulen’s network.
The government has launched a massive crackdown on suspected supporters of Gulen’s movement.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday Ankara would put its domestic and external intelligence operations under an umbrella structure to allow better coordination and help prevent another coup attempt.
The 2,257-page indictment seeks two life sentences and an additional 1,900 years in jail for Gulen, plus tens of millions of lira in fines, Anadolu said.
Fetullah Gulen has denied any involvement in the coup but Turkey is demanding the United States to extradite him. “They need to free up some space”.
In another tense exchange, Turkey lashed out at Germany on Wednesday, saying allegations in a media report that Turkey had become a hub for Islamist groups reflected a “twisted mentality” that tried to target Erdogan.
Erdogan backers have demonstrated in several German cities since July’s attempted putsch, shops have been boycotted by political rivals and hate mail has been sent to anti-Erdogan politicians.
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“We are deeply convinced that Turkey is the most important partner with regards to the fight against the so-called Islamic State group”, he said.
