Close X
Thursday, January 9, 2025
ADVT 
National

Calgary Man Detained In Turkey Accused Of Plotting Failed Coup, Family Says

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Jul, 2016 12:30 PM
    TORONTO — The family of a Canadian man they say is being held in Turkey on accusations he was a leader of the failed July 15 military coup is trying to get Davud Hanci's wife and children out of the country.
     
    The family says Hanci was detained and his name has appeared in Turkish media in connection with the coup attempt.
     
    Selman Durmus, the brother of Hanci's wife Rumeysa Hanci, says she called her family in Toronto as her husband was being arrested.
     
    Durmus last spoke to his sister Sunday morning and says she isn't being held, but he and his family are concerned for her and her two young sons' safety, and want to bring them back to Canada.
     
    Hanci, who lives in Calgary and works as an imam for Correctional Service Canada and Alberta correctional services, went to Turkey for a holiday with his wife and children on July 7.
     
    Durmus says the family travelled to the Turkish city of Trabzon to visit Hanci's ailing father. He says his sister is a dual Canadian-Turkish citizen, and the couple's sons were born in Canada.
     
    "As far as we know, at the moment she is OK. But she does feel in danger," he said.
     
    Turkish media reports claim Hanci — who a family friend says is a dual citizen of Canada and Turkey — is from Pennsylvania and was working for U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a critic and former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Durmus said Sunday.
     
    Durmus said he watched Turkish media reports that called Hanci "the right-hand man" of Fethullah Gulen. 
     
     
    "Media sources are saying 'the mastermind of the coup attack.' ... This guy is just a regular guy. He just went to visit his father. None of the things that they're claiming make any sense," he said.
     
    Durmus said the family believes someone may have reported Hanci as being involved in the coup, and his sister told him Hanci's cellphone and his Canadian passport were confiscated during the arrest. 
     
    "We're trying to sort things out because the lives of the kids and the whole family is in danger right now," he said. "Whoever reports the followers of Fethullah Gulen ... they're attacking innocent people."
     
    A spokeswoman for Global Affairs said in an email Saturday night that the department is "aware of a Canadian dual-citizen detained in Turkey" and that Canadian consular officials are standing ready to assist if needed.
     
    Turkey has imposed a three-month state of emergency and detained or dismissed tens of thousands of people in the military, the judiciary, the education system and other institutions.
     
    Turkish leaders allege that supporters of Gulen infiltrated state agencies and groomed loyalists in a vast network of private schools as part of an elaborate, long-term plan to take over the country.
     
    Turkey announced Saturday it had seized more than 2,250 social, educational or health care institutions and facilities that it claims pose a threat to national security.
     
    Gulen has denied any knowledge of the attempted coup.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    'A Natural Thing To Do:' Yukon Premier, Son Shot Meat Served At Premiers Dinner

    'A Natural Thing To Do:' Yukon Premier, Son Shot Meat Served At Premiers Dinner
    The avid hunter and his son Taylor shot the moose and Dall sheep served to the provincial and territorial leaders at a private dinner Wednesday night.

    'A Natural Thing To Do:' Yukon Premier, Son Shot Meat Served At Premiers Dinner

    Legendary Band The Tragically Hip Kicks Off Farewell Tour In B.C.

    Legendary Band The Tragically Hip Kicks Off Farewell Tour In B.C.
    "I cannot believe I'm sitting here anticipating seeing them for the last time live," Hughes said upon arriving in Langley, B.C., on Thursday.  

    Legendary Band The Tragically Hip Kicks Off Farewell Tour In B.C.

    Watch Out For Surrey RCMP’s Counter Attack This Weekend

    Watch Out For Surrey RCMP’s Counter Attack This Weekend
    This weekend, Surrey RCMP will be engaged in CounterAttack activities in addition to their regular traffic enforcement.

    Watch Out For Surrey RCMP’s Counter Attack This Weekend

    Vancouver Police Investigating Pedestrian Involved Collision

    Vancouver Police Investigating Pedestrian Involved Collision
    The pedestrian has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. The driver remained at the scene.

    Vancouver Police Investigating Pedestrian Involved Collision

    Unusual Spectacle Of The 'Capelin Roll' Attracts Thousands To Rocky Beaches

    Unusual Spectacle Of The 'Capelin Roll' Attracts Thousands To Rocky Beaches
    The capelin roll is underway in eastern Newfoundland.

    Unusual Spectacle Of The 'Capelin Roll' Attracts Thousands To Rocky Beaches

    Saskatchewan City Shuts Down Water Intake Due To Oil Slick

    Saskatchewan City Shuts Down Water Intake Due To Oil Slick
    City spokesman Stewart Schafer says an oil slick has been detected downstream from the city on the North Saskatchewan River.

    Saskatchewan City Shuts Down Water Intake Due To Oil Slick