Turkey issues warrant for former football star over coup

Turkish authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of former football star and legislator Hakan Sukur over his links to a US-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkey of masterminding last month's failed coup, according to reports.

The state-run Anadolu news agency said the warrant accused Mr Sukur of “membership in an armed terror organisation”.

Turkey has launched a massive crackdown on alleged supporters of the movement led by Fethullah Gulen, detaining 35,000 people and dismissing tens of thousands of others from government jobs.

Mr Gulen has denied involvement in the coup attempt.

Mr Sukur, who reportedly left Turkey last year, was a Turkish international who played for Inter Milan and Galatasaray. He was elected to parliament in 2011 but resigned from the ruling party after the government's rift with Mr Gulen.

AP