Turkey detains 20 FETO suspects in Izmir

By Safak Yel

IZMIR (AA) - At least 20 people suspected of having links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) were detained in Turkey, sources said early Saturday.

Security forces in the Aegean province of Izmir nabbed 35 suspects in simultaneous operations, with 20 detained by a judge.

"Covert imams," regional student officers, an expelled police chief, expelled commissioner and a retired soldier were among those detained.

While three suspects were given house arrests, six were released on judicial control and one was released because of a health condition.

Proceedings for four suspects will be carried out by the Manisa Anti-Terrorism Branch. One suspect was released by the judge.

Digital material and fake identities were seized during the operation.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 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.

* Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez