Turkey arrests 34 FETO-linked suspects

By Cemil Murat Budak and Serdar Acil

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces arrested 34 people on Tuesday over alleged links with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup bid in Turkey.

The arrests come within the scope of an investigation into the terror group's infiltration in the land forces.

The suspects had communicated with covert imams of FETO using a payphone, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor said in a statement.

They include on-duty senior officers and a lieutenant.

Three of the suspects are reportedly helicopter pilots, while the others are technical personnel responsible for the maintenance of helicopters.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration in Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit