20 FETO terror suspects arrested in Türkiye

By Basak Akbulut Yazar

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 20 people have been arrested over suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 coup bid in Türkiye, security forces said on Thursday.

The arrests were made after prosecutors in Istanbul issued warrants for 21 people who were convicted of terrorist group membership, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Security forces arrested a total of 20 suspects in simultaneous operations across Istanbul, while efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspect, it added.

FETO orchestrated the July 15, 2016, defeated coup in Türkiye where 251 people were killed and 2,734 were 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.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar