There are reports that a Calgary man is being held in Turkey, allegedly because he was a leader in the July 15 coup attempt.
Friends and relatives say Davud Hanci, a dual Canadian-Turkish citizen who works as an iman for Correctional Service Canada and Alberta Correctional Services, went to Turkey on holiday on July 13.
Hanci’s brother-in-law, Selman Durmus, says state-run Turkish media has linked Hanci to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen
Turkish authorities say Gulen was behind the coup attempt.
Durmus, who lives in Toronto, is trying to get his sister, Rumeysa Hanci, in touch with Canadian officials so she and her two sons can get out of Turkey.
A spokeswoman for Canadian Global Affairs says the department is “aware of a Canadian dual-citizen detained in Turkey” and that Canadian consular officials are standing by ready to assist if needed.
Turkey imposed a three-month state of emergency last week and authorities
have detained or dismissed tens of thousands of people.
Turkish authorities allege that Gulen supporters infiltrated state agencies and schools as part of a plan to take over the country.
Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, denies the allegations.
With AP, CP, CBC files.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.