Gulen's relative remanded over Turkey coup attempt

ESKISEHIR

A Turkish court on Saturday remanded in custody a relative of Fetullah Gulen -- who is accused of masterminding the July 15 defeated coup -- in central Eskisehir province, local officials told Anadolu Agency.

Nurettin Said Avci, a public servant, is facing charges related to the bloody putsch attempt, the sources said.

Along with Avci, Necdet Aydin -- another civil servant -- and Mehmet Kuru, a journalist with Gulen-linked and recently closed Zaman newspaper, were remanded in custody.

Police conducted a search in Avci and Aydin's residences and and retrieved documents allegedly belonging to Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO), according to the sources.

The July 15 coup attempt is blamed on FETO, led by Gulen, who is being sought by an Istanbul court to face charges of leading rogue FETO elements within the military to mount a bloody putsch that killed 239 people and injured 2,200 others.

Reporting by Emrah Yasar; Writing by Fatma Bulbul