Police arrested 61 suspects in Turkey on Monday over their suspected links to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). In the western province of Balıkesir, and 13 soldiers on-duty were arrested on charges of serving as the group's "covert imams," a term used within the organization for senior members.

Three more soldiers on active duty were arrested in the central Tokat province. The remainder of the suspects who were arrested was civilians.

Also, a court in the southeastern Şanlıurfa province handed down prison sentences varying from 2.5 years to 12 years for three people for their involvement in a FETÖ network within the police force.

The terrorist group tried to seize power first in 2013 after it cultivated clout in the judiciary, police and military with decades of infiltration. When the attempt failed, it tried again in the 2016 summer but the putsch was thwarted by a strong public resistance.