Former Istanbul Organized Crime Police Chief, Nazmi Ardıç, who was one of the main instigators of the December 17 and 25 operations and was on the run due to allegations of spying and illegal wiretapping, was caught in Istanbul on Sunday.

Ardıç is being reported as one of the key figures of the Gülenist organization within Turkey's police force, and he was sought as part of the investigation started by the Terror and Organized Crime Bureau of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's office.

Ardıç was discharged from the police due to his involvement in the December 17 and 25 operations, which were conducted against key government figures with corruption allegations. He also took part in the Ergenekon, Balyoz (Sledgehammer), Odatv and match-fixing operations, all instigated by prosecutors and police officers with alleged links to the Gülen Movement.