Turkey coup plot: 2 army generals held in Dubai

ANKARA

Two Turkish generals suspected of having links to the July 15 coup attempt were captured in the United Arab Emirates, according to Turkish diplomatic sources on Tuesday.

Major General Mehmet Cahit Bakir, Commander of the Afghanistan Turkish Task Force, and Brigadier General Sener Topuc, Commander of the Train, Advise and Assist Command in Kabul, were detained at Dubai International Airport after having fled Afghanistan, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and National Intelligence Organization learned about the escape and the two were held in collaboration with United Arab Emirates officials, the sources said.

Bakir and Topuc were taken in for questioning upon their return to Ankara on Tuesday morning, sources added.

Around 13,000 suspects – including military personnel, police, judiciary members and civil servants – have been arrested so far in a nationwide probe into the failed coup, which saw 246 people martyred and 2,100 injured.

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.

ANKARA

Two Turkish generals suspected of having links to the July 15 coup attempt were captured in the United Arab Emirates, according to Turkish diplomatic sources on Tuesday.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and National Intelligence Organization learned about the escape and the two were held in collaboration with United Arab Emirates officials, the sources said.

Bakir and Topuc were taken in for questioning upon their return to Ankara on Tuesday morning, sources added.

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.