Wife, children of Calgary imam detained in Turkey returning to Canada

The sister-in-law of a Calgary imam jailed in Turkey says the man's wife and children have safely left the country.

Davud Hanci has been accused in Turkish media of helping orchestrate last month's attempted coup, but friends and family say he had nothing to do with it and was there to visit his ailing father.

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Ruveyda Durmus says her sister, Rumeysa Hanci, called during a layover in Munich and was to arrive in Calgary Tuesday night.

After the imam's arrest last month, friends and relatives expressed concern for the safety of his wife and two young sons.

Durmus says her sister was allowed a minute-long visit with her husband shortly after he was detained, but has not been able to see him since.

Since the failed coup about 18,000 people have been detained or arrested and nearly 70,000 others have been suspended or dismissed from the civil service, judiciary, military and other institutions.

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