Soldiers arrested in Northern Cyprus FETO probe

By Murat Demirci

GAZIMAGUSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - Two Turkish military officials have been arrested in an investigation into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a police source said on Monday.

It is expected the suspects will be referred to a court in Gazimagusa, an eastern province of Northern Cyprus.

Police also arrested two other FETO suspects last week, including one police officer.

Thousands of Turkish soldiers are stationed in Northern Cyprus following Turkey’s 1974 intervention on the island to protect the Turkish Cypriot community.

According to the Turkish government, FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey also 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.