The wives of eight men suspected of links to the Gülen movement were detained on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the faith-based group in Turkey’s Samsun province.
Their husbands were previously arrested over Gülen links and allegations of infiltrating the police force.
According to the Milliyet daily, some of the detainees had been briefly held on similar allegations, including using the ByLock smartphone application, having an account at Bank Asya and membership in a union that was affiliated with the movement.
Turkish authorities believe ByLock is a communication tool among followers of the Gülen movement, accused of orchestrating a July 15, 2016 failed coup. The movement strongly denies any involvement.
Tens of thousands of people, including civil servants, police officers, soldiers, businessmen and homemakers, have either been dismissed or arrested for allegedly using ByLock since the failed coup attempt.
(Turkish Minute with Turkey Purge)