Turkey to explore legal routes against US: Justice min.

By Levent Kisi

ANTALYA, Turkey (AA) – Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul on Sunday said Turkey will explore all legal avenues against U.S. support for PYD/PKK terrorist organization.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster Kanal 7, Gul said it is a pity that a country like the U.S. takes a terrorist organisation's side.

“A country which we call our ally should prioritize Turkey’s preferences, interests and security of its citizens, not a terrorist group. It is a pity if it is taking side of a terrorist group,” Gul said.

He added that relatives of soldiers who had been martyred in PKK attacks and wanted to file a lawsuit against the U.S. had every right to do so.

"Turkish citizens should not refrain from using legal ways to demand their rights."

The U.S. has long resisted Turkish criticisms of its support for the SDF, led by the terrorist PYD/PKK, contending that the group is a “reliable ally” in its fight against Daesh.

The PYD/PKK is the Syrian offshoot of the terrorist PKK, that has taken 40,000 lives in a 30-year terrorist campaign in Turkey.

Gul said necessary steps were being taken to complete hearing of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)-related cases in Turkish courts in 2018.

"As of today, 38,470 FETO members have been remanded or convicted in Turkey,” Gul said.

He added: "A total of 4,170 people were actively involved in the coup attempt."

He said 5,704 members have been convicted while 480 have been released.

Among those remanded into custody, 7,512 of them were soldiers, 1,141 judges and prosecutors, and 8,250 others were security staff.

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.