FETO reportedly behind US amendment seeking designation of Grey Wolves group

By Cahit Oktay and Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) is behind an amendment in the US 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) adopted by the House of Representatives, seeking to designate Turkey's Grey Wolves, or Idealist Hearths, a foreign terror group, said the right-wing movement's representative in the US on Wednesday.

Adil Alper Yigiter told Anadolu Agency that the nationalist group found a photograph from an online meeting that involved Democratic Rep. Dina Tutus from the state of Nevada, who introduced the amendment, and NBA player Enes Kanter, the self-styled "adopted" son of FETO leader Fetullah Gulen who resides in the US.

The Grey Wolves are affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

"It has been proven that Titus, who presented the amendment to add Idealist Hearths onto the terror list, is in collaboration with (FETO). The smear and slander campaign launched by those who are hostile to the Turks and the Ulku Ocaklari (Idealist Hearths) will undoubtedly be eliminated," said Yigiter.

Kanter, who finances the Gulen cult, wrote a letter in 2016 following a defeated coup in Turkey. "May my father, mother and all pedigree die for your [Fetullah Gulen] cause," he wrote and signed it, Enes (Kanter) Gulen.

He said the movement has never engaged in any illegal event while conducting activities. "Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were involved in aid campaigns and shared our breads with those in need, regardless of their ethnicity," added Yigiter.

The amendment by Titus requires a report from the State Department about Grey Wolves' activities and a review of criteria on the way to designate the group.

"Although it seems it is the Armenian lobby that pioneered the bill, we see the active role by a certain group of people who are always hostile to us," said Yigiter, referring to the FETO group.

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

Ankara also 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.

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli called the move by the US lawmakers against the Grey Wolves a "terrible mistake."

- 'Regretting'

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it is "regretting" that the amendment is included in the NDAA.

"It is extremely saddening and worrying that such a request, which has unfounded accusations and does not fit our deep-rooted alliance with the United States, has even been approved by one wing of the US Congress," said ministry spokesma Tanju Bilgic, referring to the House of Representatives.

Bilgic said Turkey expects the "imprudent request" will not be included at the final text of the Act and any attempt to restrict freedom of association and expression of the Turkish community should be avoided.