Turkey formally arrested 16,000 people in coup investigation: Justice minister

A demonstrator holds a flag picturing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan among other demonstrators on Aug 7, 2016, in Istanbul during a rally against the failed military coup. PHOTO: AFP

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Tuesday (Aug 9) 16,000 people have been formally arrested and remanded in custody in connection with last month's failed coup attempt, while another 6,000 detainees were still being processed.

Another 7,668 people were under investigation but were not currently detained, he said in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency, broadcast live on Turkish television channels.

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