Turkey still holding 18 after controversial arrests

(ANKARA) - Turkish police Wednesday were still questioning 18 suspects arrested in hugely controversial weekend raids against opposition media that have raised tensions between Ankara and the European Union.

The detainees include Ekrem Dumanli, editor-in-chief of Turkey's top-selling Zaman newspaper which is closely linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses of running a "parallel state" to oust his government.

In last weekend's raids, journalists and television staff from Zaman and Samanyolu TV were arrested on suspicion of forming a gang to seize control of the state.

Twelve have been released so far, according to the state-run Anatolia news agency, but 18 remain in custody in Istanbul.

The mass arrests drew ire of human rights groups and the European Union which denounced them as "incompatible with the freedom of the media", prompting a sharp rebuke from Erdogan who told Brussels to mind its "own business".

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkey's political scene for more than a decade, is locked in a bitter battle with Gulen, 73.

He declared Gulen enemy number one after blaming him for an explosive corruption scandal that implicated Erdogan's family and inner circle.

The controversy began with the opening of a probe on December 17, 2013 -- exactly one year ago -- into the biggest scandal in the country's recent history, which dragged down four ministers and prompted a cabinet shake-up.

Around 500 protesters including opposition lawmakers marked the anniversary of the corruption investigation in Ankara on Wednesday, shouting: "They are thieves!"

Some of the demonstrators wore the masks of the four former ministers who were involved in alleged bribery and corruption.

Despite the crisis, Erdogan has emerged stronger from local and presidential elections.

He has bitterly vowed to pursue his adversaries "into their lairs", purging thousands of police officers, prosecutors and judges whom he accused of working for Gulen.

Prosecutors have now shelved the corruption case without taking any further action.

Gulen, who has denied being behind the corruption probe against Erdogan's government, said he and his followers would stand firm.

"If the aim is to suppress (us), they must clearly know that real believers have never bent before thoughts of discord... they have always stood tall," he said in comments published in Zaman.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday signalled that an international arrest warrant could be issued for Gulen, something which would require his extradition from the United States.