Up to 100 Dutch citizens have reportedly been blocked from leaving Turkey after criticising the country’s President.

Those affected are of Turkish descent and had been publicly critical of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Netherlands public broadcaster NOS reported.

Dual nationals from Germany, Switzerland and other European nations were having trouble returning home, the broadcaster said.

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Many had been in the country on holiday or to visit relatives, with some accused of supporting the “Hizmet” movement led by US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

A spokesperson for the Dutch foreign ministry said it was difficult to confirm how many citizens were affected as it only knew of those who had sought help.

“The reasons why [they have had problems leaving Turkey] are varied, but some of them may be linked to the Gulen movement,” she told The Independent.

“We are prepared to help people who actively seek assistance.

“We immediately raised the inconvenience caused to these people with the Turkish authorities.

“Inquiries show that other countries’ citizens are having similar problems in Turkey.”

Mr Erdogan accuses the Gulen movement of plotting a failed coup in July and classes members as “terrorists”, resulting in purges seeing 42,000 people including teachers and journalists detained or dismissed for alleged support.

In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish tanks driving to the Syrian-Turkish border town of Jarabulus yesterday AFP/Getty In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish-backed gather on the outskirts of Jarabulus, Syria, ahead of an offensive on 24 August 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarabulus, Syria August 24, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish soldiers return from Syria to Turkey with tanks after a military operation at the Syrian border as part of their offensive against the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria, Karkamis district of Gaziantep, Turkey, 25 August 2016 EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish army tanks and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition forces move toward the Syrian border as pictured from Karkamis, Turkey, AP In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish tanks on their way to the Turkish-Syria border during an operation against Isis on 24 August 2016 EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Syrian opposition fighters being transported during preparations to enter Jarabulus in Karkamis, Turkey, on 24 August 2016. EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria An air strike hitting Isis-controlled territory near Jarabulus, near the Turkish border, on 24 August 2016. EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria A Turkish army tank and an armoured vehicle stationed near the border with Syria. Turkish media reports say Turkish artillery has launched new strikes at Isis targets across the border AP

European nations and the US have cast doubt on the claims, with a recent report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee finding that evidence of the Gulen movement’s involvement was “anecdotal and circumstantial”, as was evidence used for its terrorist designation by the Turkish government.

The dispute is one of several issues worsening tensions between Turkey and its EU allies, amid a continuing row over cancelled rallies by Turkish government ministers.

They had been dispatched to drum up support among expats for a “yes” vote that would give Mr Erdogan dramatically increased powers in a constitutional referendum to be held later this month.

But authorities in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and other countries cancelled planned rallies on safety grounds, sparking accusations of “Nazi practices” from Ankara.

The row worsened last month as thousands of Turks protested when the Netherlands prevented foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from flying to Rotterdam and banned ministers from speaking.

A statement from the Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, threatened that Turkey would retaliate in the “harshest ways” and “respond in kind to this unacceptable behaviour”.

Mr Erdogan has threatened to renege on a deal struck with the EU aiming to prevent refugee boat crossings to Greece, while hitting out at human rights concerns levelled at his government.