25 detained in southeast Turkey for links to US-based cleric

Police officers escort people, arrested because of suspected links to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, in Kayseri, Turkey, Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Police launched simultaneous operations across the country on Wednesday, detaining hundreds of people with suspected links to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. The suspects are allegedly Gulen operatives who directed followers within the police force. (Olay Duzgun/DHA-Depo Photos via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkish police officers escort women into a courthouse in Bursa, Turkey, arrested on suspicion of having links with U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, Thursday, April 27, 2017. Twenty-five people were detained in Turkey and more than 200 police officers temporarily suspended from their jobs Thursday for suspected links to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, following a massive sweep the day before in connection with last summer's failed coup attempt. Gulen has denied the accusations. (Berktug Oncu/DHA-Depo Photos via AP) (The Associated Press)

ISTANBUL – Twenty-five people have been detained in southeastern Turkey for suspected links to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Gaziantep governor's office announced in a statement Thursday that more than 70 raids took place to apprehend 106 Gulen operatives called "secret imams." They are being investigated for "membership in an armed terror organization and recruiting members."

Forty-one suspects are still on the run, according to the statement. Others have already been arrested and five are abroad.

The raids are part of a massive crackdown following last summer's failed coup attempt, which Turkey says was orchestrated by Gulen's movement, leading to the arrest of more than 47,000 people. Gulen has denied the accusations.

On Wednesday, 1,120 "secret imams" accused of directing followers within the police were detained nationally. Some 9,000 police personnel were also temporarily suspended.