Turkey: 36 suspects convicted over FETO links

By Fatih Gokmen, Kemal Karagoz, Ufuk Ertop, Emre Ayvaz and Unal Gundogdu

ANKARA (AA) - Thirty-six suspects linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) were handed down prison sentences in three separate hearings on Friday, according to judicial officals.

A court in central Kirikkale province sentenced seven suspects to more than six years in prison, said an official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

They were accused of founding and being members of an armed terrorist organization.

The court also ordered the release of five other suspects, including a former provincial head of police department, Abdullah Cemal Sahin.

A court in southeastern Adiyaman province handed down an aggravated life sentence to a FETO-linked former police commissioner, Fatih Nacar, for attempting to overthrow the government.

Nacar was also sentenced to nine years in prison for being a member of an armed terrorist organization.

The court also sentenced two former security staff for up to 12 years in prison for being members of an armed terrorist organization.

In northwestern Sakarya province, 26 former security staff were handed down life sentences for violating the constitution, and 15 years in prison for being members of a terrorist organization.

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

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.