Turkey: Top court approves jail time for FETO officers

By Ferdi Turkten, Aylin Sirikli

ANKARA (AA) - The Supreme Court of Appeals on Monday approved the sentences for two Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members who participated in the failed attempt to overthrow the government last summer.

The Erzurum’s 2nd Criminal Court ruled in January that Staff Col. Murat Kocak and Staff Maj. Murat Yilmaz should each receive aggravated life sentences for their role in the botched putsch.

The two former army officers, whose cases were the first convictions for FETO members linked to the defeated coup, have maintained their innocence.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, are accused of orchestrating the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, martyred 250 souls and injured nearly 2,200 others.

Ankara has also said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Tens of thousands of FETO suspects have been arrested following the failed coup, including many in the armed forces, police, justice system, and education sectors.