Hungary to probe Gulen-linked institutions

By Mehmet Yilmaz

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AA) – Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said it will take action against Fetullah Terrorist Organization-linked institutions if they are found to be linked to terrorism.

According to a statement made Friday in the Hungarian news portal, Index, the ministry said Turkey's request to shut down institutions linked to U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen will be evaluated under Hungarian law.

"If there is a link between the institutions and terrorism, Hungarian officials will take action against those institutions," the statement said.

Ankara believes some Gulen-linked institutions and organizations in Hungary provide moral and material support to the terrorist organization.

Hungarian government had harshly condemned the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto had said they were in solidarity with the democratically-elected Turkish government and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"This coup attempt may be named as a terrorist action by taking into consideration its method and casualties," Szijjarto said following the foiled coup.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the defeated July 15 coup attempt, which martyred at least 239 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen and its terror organization FETO.

Gulen is also accused of implementing 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.