3 FETO-linked commandos arrested in Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin and Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Three fugitive naval commandos, linked to last year's July 15 coup attempt, have been arrested by the police in Turkey's northwestern Edirne province as they attempted to flee abroad, a security source said Tuesday.

The three SAT (Underwater Offense) Commandos, identified only by their initials, were arrested in a Monday operation conducted by local intelligence and security departments, according to the source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Former 1st Lt. A.C., Sgt. Maj. Y.O and M.O were wanted by the police for attempting to abolish the constitutional order following a decision by the 4th High Criminal Court in Ankara, the source said.

During the interrogation, the suspects admitted their links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which, along with its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen, is accused by Ankara of orchestrating the defeated coup, which left 249 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, the source added.

The suspects also admitted to taking active part in the coup attempt.

Ankara 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.