Erdogan's chief military aide remanded over coup bid

By Aylin Sirikli and Huseyin Gazi Kayki

ANKARA (AA) - An Ankara court on Wednesday remanded chief military aide of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into custody for his alleged links to July 15 coup attempt, a judicial source said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the source said Ali Yazici was detained as part of an investigation into the coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The investigation was launched by Ankara prosecutor's office.

Turkish government accuses FETO - led by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen - of orchestrating the Friday's coup attempt that killed at least 240 people and wounded more than 1,500 others, including members of the security forces and civilians.

The movement is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, thus forming a “parallel state.”

Yazici has been serving his post at the presidential complex since August 12, 2015.

*Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.