Germany refuses asylum to several FETO-linked suspects

BERLIN

Germany has rejected asylum applications of several former teachers of FETO-linked schools in Turkey, a local television reported.

Immigration authorities in southern Germany refused to grant asylum to an ex-teacher and his family, as well as to a former school director, dismissing their claims that they faced political persecution, torture and ill treatment in Turkey.

Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016 in Turkey, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Germany had rejected earlier Ankara’s demand to return dozens of senior FETO figures for trial in Turkey, including ex-soldiers and diplomats, who fled to this country.

Documents shown on WDR television on Thursday night demonstrated that Germany’s immigration authority BAMF rejected in recent months asylum applications of several FETO-linked teachers, and their family members.

The officials underlined that contrary to what they claimed, these applicants did not face any concrete and specific danger in Turkey.

When rejecting some of the asylum applications, immigration authorities made a reference to an assessment by the German Foreign Ministry, which underlined that Turkey was an EU candidate country and a party to the European Convention on Human Rights.

It also stressed that Turkish government had taken several administrative measures in line with its policy of zero-tolerance against torture and ill-treatment.

Germany, which is home to 3 million Turkish immigrants, is among the countries where FETO managed to organize a large network, including dozens of businesses, private schools and media organizations.

Since last year’s coup attempt, nearly 4,000 suspected FETO members have come to Germany, according to group members’ statements on local media.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to control the state in Turkey through the infiltration of institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Gulenists in Germany have taken care not to attract public criticism and have particularly focused on interfaith dialogue programs, giving moderate messages to win the trust of the media, influential churches, and political institutions.

The group claims to have around 70,000 followers on German soil.