Turkey: ex-opposition legislator arrested for ‘terror’ links

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run news agency says a former opposition party lawmaker has been arrested on charges of aiding a network led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey says was behind a 2016 failed coup attempt.

Anadolu Agency says Eren Erdem, a former member of parliament from the Republican People’s Party, was taken into custody in Ankara early Friday and driven to Istanbul where a court ordered his arrest.

Erdem is accused of supporting Gulen while he was editor of Karsi newspaper, which published voice recordings in 2013 that suggested widespread government corruption, allegations the government says were fabrications.

Erdem was charged with “deliberately and willingly” aiding a “terror group” without being a member.

The ex-lawmaker, who denies wrongdoing, could face up 22 years in prison.