FETO-linked army officer surrenders to police in Turkey

By Ferdi Uzun

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - A soldier surrendered to police in western Aydin province on Wednesday and confessed to his links with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in 2016 in Turkey.

A non-commissioned officer, identified by the initials S.S., from the Germencik district gendarmerie command, surrendered to the provincial security directorate, a police source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to media restrictions.

Meanwhile, another non-commissioned officer, who was suspected of being FETO member, was arrested in eastern Erzincan province and was brought to Aydin.

The source said both suspects were taken to Aydin provincial security directorate.

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.