More than 90 suspects arrested in Turkey for FETO links

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

At least 94 suspects, including former soldiers and police officers, were arrested across Turkey on Friday over suspected links with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind last year’s defeated coup, according to a security source.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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

In southern Adana province, six ex-police officers were arrested for using FETO’s encrypted smart phone messaging application, ByLock.

The app is believed to have been cracked by Turkish security agencies, allowing them to identify tens of thousands of FETO supporters within the context of last year's defeated coup attempt.

In northwestern Balikesir province, an ex-police officer was arrested as part of a probe launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Additionally, a soldier, who had been on duty at Ankara’s Akinci Military Airbase on the night of July 15 defeated coup, was also arrested in Balikesir.

In a joint operation conducted by northern Trabzon Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in 14 provinces, 20 former soldiers and an ex-teacher were arrested over links with FETO.

The police were continuing investigations to arrest other suspects.

In another joint operation in northwestern Kocaeli province, Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 30 former soldiers; 22 of the suspects were arrested.

In a probe conducted by eastern Agri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 29 ex-soldiers were arrested during simultaneous operations in 11 provinces.

Eight other suspects including security staff were also arrested in the northern Samsun province.