Turkey: 58 soldiers arrested for suspected FETO links

By Savas Gulter

KONYA,Turkey (AA) - At least 58 soldiers of Turkish Armed Forces have been arrested in counter-terror operations across Turkey, for alleged links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind last year's defeated coup, police sources said Monday.

The arrests came after arrest warrants were issued last Thursday by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in central Konya province against 70 on-duty soldiers. Konya police had ordered the launch of operations in 31 provinces.

A search for the 12 fugitives is underway, said the sources, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

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.

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.