The former police chief of Eskiþehir, Hanefi Avcý, has been arrested yesterday in Ankara. The former police chief was transferred to the Beþiktaþ Courthouse in Istanbul under strict security measures.

Avcý had come into the spotlight following the publication of his book, “Haliç’te Yaþayan Simonlar: Dün Devlet Bugün Cemaat” (‘Devotee’ Residents of Haliç: Yesterday State, Today Religious Congregation). The book alleges that the religious Fethullah Gülen community has covertly taken over control of the state. Avcý claimed in his book that members of the community led by Fethullah Gülen had illegally tapped telephone conversations, including some of his own phone calls.

Prosecutors in Ankara had called on Avcý to answer allegations that he had been using a telephone line belonging to a member of an illegal organization called “The Revolutionary Headquarters.” He refused to answer. Last week alleged members of "The Revolutionary Headquarters" had been arrested.