FETO-linked ex-editor arrested trying to flee Turkey

By Salih Baran

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - The editor-in-chief of a shut-down weekly magazine, who was sentenced to over 22 years in jail on Monday for inciting an armed uprising against the Turkish government, was arrested Wednesday in the northwestern province of Edirne while he was attempting to flee to neighboring Greece, a security source said.

Murat Capan, the editor-in-chief of Nokta magazine, which was shut down in the aftermath of last year's coup attempt over links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization, accused by Ankara of masterminding the foiled coup, was handed down an imprisonment of 22 years and six months by Istanbul's 14th High Criminal Court.

The same court also convicted the magazine's executive, Cevheri Guven, of the same charge, giving him the same sentence.

Border guards arrested Capan along with four FETO suspects including retired police chief S.S, former university lecturer A.E.A, and expelled teachers M.C. and F.C, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

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

Ankara has said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Following the coup bid, Turkey introduced a state of emergency that has seen tens of thousands of public servants dismissed or suspended from their jobs over suspected ties to FETO.