Turkish Deputy PM sheds light on FETO probe

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) – Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus spoke about the nationwide investigation into the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO), detailing the ongoing procedure on Wednesday.

Speaking on TGRT television, Kurtulmus shed light on the probe into the FETO coup attempt, saying there are many faces involved which still need to be observed: “There is a civil part of it, inside and abroad, judiciary part, police and political sides, all should be found out.”

Kurtulmus highlighted some points which should be taken into consideration such as “loyalty to the nation, merit and competence”.

“Any parties, Kurds, Turks, Alevis, Sunni, democrats, conservatives, nationalists, regardless of their ethnic and religious origin should meet these principles,” he stated.

He further pointed out: “If we can get everyone access to the state system, we get access to reform our political system as well.”

“Every defendant’s testimony reveals a number of new things. Believe [me], every day we are getting aware of different things, very complicated things. I think these are just the tip of the iceberg; there are unseen parts of it [FETO],” he added.

Kurtulmus went on to say: “We thwarted a very treacherous coup bid, which Turkey never experienced and also planned to drag Turkey into a civil war and available to be occupied by external forces.”

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

At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, were martyred -- and nearly 2,200 injured -- during the putsch attempt.

* Anadolu Agency correspondent Ahmet Sait Akcay contributed to the report from Ankara.