Turkey: Arrest warrants out for 133 FETO suspects

By Safak Yel

IZMIR

Turkey issued arrest warrants for 133 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) suspects in military, 82 of whom were on active duty, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday.

The investigations launched to arrest FETO-linked suspects within Turkish Armed Forces in Izmir are still underway, the statement by the prosecutor's office added.

The suspects include three colonels, five majors, five captains, 12 first lieutenants, 54 noncommissioned officers and three sergeants, who were on active duty.

The prosector's office issued arrest warrants for 14 expelled students from closed down military schools, as well as for two colonels, two lieutenant colonels, and three captains who were no longer on duty due to reasons such as retirement, resignation, or contract termination.

Arrest warrants were issued for 133 suspects for reportedly being contacted by the so-called "covert imams" -- senior members -- of the terrorist organization via pay phones.

Provincial security forces organized simultaneous operations in 44 provinces, including Izmir.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 251 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.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit