Police arrest 33 FETO-linked suspects across Turkey

By Recep Bilek

SAMSUN, Turkey (AA) – A total of 33 people were arrested across Turkey over suspected links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the July 2016 defeated coup, on Wednesday, according to security sources.

In the Black Sea province of Samsun, a fugitive couple was arrested. More than €15,700 ($19,438) and 2,500 Turkish lira ($620), six cellphones and two tablet computers were seized from their home, a security source said, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In the central Karaman province, 10 women were arrested after warrants were issued for 13 suspects by the province’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, according to a security source.

The operation is ongoing in Karaman, Ankara, Antalya and Kayseri provinces for the three other suspects, the source added.

Also, in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir, one lieutenant colonel was arrested for allegedly being a member of an armed terrorist organization.

Two women, who were wanted as part of an investigation into FETO in the southern Isparta province, were arrested in the central province of Eskisehir.

One of the suspects was remanded in custody by an Eskisehir court.

Moreover, six people were arrested in the Aegean province of Manisa, as part of an investigation conducted by the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Office.

During a northern Amasya-based operation conducted in three provinces, 12 people were arrested after warrants were issued by Merzifon district’s Chief Public Prosecutors’ Office for 14 suspects. The suspects are suspected of being members of an armed terrorist organization, a security source said, who wished to remain anonymous due to media restrictions.

Operations in Amasya, Izmir and Afyon provinces are ongoing for two other suspects, the source added.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, 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.