Amnesty Intl raising money for Turkey's coup-plotters

VIENNA

The Austria branch of Amnesty International has sent out letters urging its members to donate money to defend the rights of the people behind Turkey's deadly July 15 coup attempt.

The branch sent out letters to its members including a “payment receipt” and a note entitled "Human rights under threat in Turkey."

The notes, which were shared on social media Thursday, include photos of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) member coup-plotters, claiming that human rights are being violated in Turkey and that the coup-plotters and FETO members are being mistreated.

The letter speaks critically of both Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Now we need your financial support more than ever. Every euro is very important. By standing strong with your voice, power, and donations, we will ask the international community to judge the Turkish government's human rights violations. And especially to stop the police violence in detention. Please protect the people in Turkey and their rights with us," the note says.

A worker at Amnesty International's Austria branch, who declined to be named, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that they had sent out the letters to collect money for the coup-plotters.

Turks living in Austria criticized the move in social media.

They stated that antipathy towards Turkey and Turks is rising alarmingly in Austria, decrying how Amnesty International is collecting money for the coup-plotters instead of its victims.

The July 15 coup attempt martyred at least 239 people and wounded 2,200 others, who took to the streets to protest the illegal overthrow bid.

Turkey’s government accuses U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen and his FETO terrorist organization of organizing the foiled coup and has sent the U.S. two official requests for his extradition to face trial.

*Reporting by Hasan Tosun; Writing by Tutku Umac