Police detain 55 FETO suspects in raids across Turkey

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Police have detained 55 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) suspects in raids carried out in 31 provinces in Turkey, including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, a police source said Wednesday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said among those detained were alleged FETO head figures who worked for Turkey’s National Intelligence Service (MIT) and military.

The names of the detained alleged head figures were given up by jailed 135 pilots, who were detained at the Akinci Air Base following the July 15 coup attempt, the source said.

Pro-coup soldiers had used Akinci as one of their bases during the coup bid; some jets which took off from the base had bombed several targets in the capital, including the parliament. Top military officers in the Turkish army were also held hostage at the base.

The 55 people held, who were sent to Ankara after completing their procedures, were said to be among a list 101 suspects the police was continuing to look for.

According to the Turkish government, FETO, led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, was responsible for the deadly July 15 coup attempt that left at least 241 people martyred.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.