ISTANBUL – Turkish authorities detained last week more than 2,000 people in anti-terrorist operations, the interior ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Approximately half of the suspects were arrested in 230 different operations against a “separatist terrorist organization,” the term which the Turkish authorities refer to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

According to the note, 966 people were detained in operations against the network of the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, which the Turkish government accuses of instigating the failed coup in July 2016.

In addition, 28 people were arrested for alleged links with ultra-left organizations, and another 70 on suspicion of links with the Islamic State terror organization, in operations against “foreign fighters,” foreigners who try to join the extremists in Syria through Turkey.

These figures are slightly higher than usual, as since the beginning of the year the police have detained 1,000 to 1,800 people every week on terrorism charges.

Under the current state of emergency in Turkey and following the failed July coup, detainees can spend a week in police custody before being charged with a crime, although in cases of suspected terrorism this period can be extended, or they must be released.