FETO fugitive nabbed in western Turkey

By Arif Yavuz

AFYONKARAHISAR, Turkey (AA) – A fugitive linked to the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO) has been arrested in Turkey’s Afyonkarahisar province.

The man, who was caught in an industrial zone, had been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison as part of a probe into FETO, the terror group behind the failed coup attempt in Turkey of July 15, 2016.

His position in the organization was determined to be a so-called "doctor” and he was reportedly interested in communicating with military students affiliated with the terror group and used ByLock, an encrypted messaging app commonly used among members of FETO.

Upon his arrest, he was sent to prison.

Also, a fugitive "covert" imam of the terror group was arrested in Yenimahalle district of the capital Ankara after security forces raided his hideout.

Ergun Bildik, codenamed "Erhan," was on the run for the past four years and used a fake ID in order not to be caught by security authorities.

Bildik reportedly took part in meetings of high-level FETO members operating in the police department back then.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.

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.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas