Suspected Turkish coup plot sees 24 detained

TURKISH authorities have detained at least 24 ultra-nationalists, including two prominent retired generals, in a widening police investigation into a suspected coup plot against the government.

Police swooped shortly before the Constitutional Court began hearing a legal case in which the governing AK Party is charged with trying to establish an Islamic state and could be closed, a move that might lead to an early parliamentary election.

Turkish stocks fell 6% and the lira currency almost 2% on concerns of prolonged political uncertainty which political analysts say could damage Ankara’s hopes of joining the European Union.