Purge-victim family drowns in the Aegean Sea off Turkey: report

A Turkish family of five has reportedly drowned after a boat capsized in the Aegean Sea, off the western coast of Turkey, according to several Turkish media outlets.

The victims have reportedly been sought by the Turkish government over their links to the Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in July 15, 2016.

The group denies any involvement.

The Turkish medai said all 5 victims, including three children, were of Turkish origin. They were reportedly en route to Lesbos, a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey.

The names are the alleged victims are as follows: Hüseyin Maden, his wife Nur Maden, and the couple’s children Nadire Maden, Bahar Maden and Feridun Maden.

The claim has not yet been verified by the Turkish authorities.

It has become common in the post-coup Turkey that the government cancels Gulen-linked peoples’ passports, falsely registering them as lost or stolen, and leading Gulenists to attempt illegal departure from the country.

After the failed attempt, Turkish government has initiated a witch-hunt against the followers of the Gülen group. More than 128,000 people have been detained and 58,000 were put in pre-trial arrest since July 15, 2016. Those imprisoned included hundreds of academics, students, writers, journalists and housewives.