Turkish police early on Sunday raided various addresses, including a television station and a newspaper, in Istanbul and 12 other cities, arresting several people,Turkish media say.

Among those detained were a top executive, producers and directors of a television channel close to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. The news agency said at least 14 people in all were detained.

The anti-terrorism police also raided the offices of the Zaman daily, which, too, has links with Gulen. However, a huge crowd outside the newspaper's offices in Istanbul forced police to leave without arresting any of its employees.

Renewed campaign

Gulen, a former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is now his outspoken rival. A year ago, Erdogan accused Gulen and his supporters of instigating corruption investigations against his inner circle while he was prime minister in a bid to topple his government. Gulen denies the charge.

The scandal led to the resignation of three ministers and the reassignation of thousands of police and hundreds of judges and prosecutors at Erdogan's behest.

Sunday's raids come after Erdogan signalled the beginning of a fresh campaign against supporters of the cleric.

The president has been accused by critics at home and abroad of restricting press freedom and tightening control of the internet during his time in office both as prime minister and president.

tj/es (AFP, Reuters)