21 FETO-linked terror suspects arrested across Turkey

By Soner Kılınc and Salim Tas

ANKARA (AA) - At least 21 suspected members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, have been arrested in nationwide operations, a security source said Friday.

The arrests were carried out during simultaneous anti-terror raids in 13 provinces, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

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

The raids were carried out in the western province of Usak as well as in the southern province of Hatay and other provinces such as Izmir, Bursa, Tunceli, Ankara and Istanbul.

As part of an investigation launched by Usak Chief Public Prosecutors' Office, eight suspects were arrested during simultaneous raids.

Some of the suspects were accused of using FETO's encrypted messaging app ByLock, while some others were accused of working in the companies linked to the terror group.

Likewise, in Hatay, the Chief Public Prosecutors' Office launched a probe in which 13 people --including 12 on-duty and a retired soldiers -- were arrested.

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.