July 15 saw worst 'illegal, vicious attack': Parliament

ANKARA (AA) - The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) carried out the "biggest illegal and vicious attack" Turkey has ever seen on July 15, parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said Monday.

The committee said in a lengthy written statement, issued in English and Arabic, that the failed coup had targeted Turkey, its people, political parties, president, state institutions and public administrators, as well as the Turkish Armed Forces, but "most importantly" the rule of law and democracy.

"Rather than a military coup attempt, in the public perception, it is received as the largest and the most organized terrorist attack that the country has ever seen," the statement added.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,100 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also 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.

The committee said Turkey witnessed "the bloodiest and the most violent attack" as carried out by Gulen, who has lived in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1998.

FETO was institutionalized worldwide under the name of the "Service Movement," it said. "The Gulenist Terrorist Organization, similar to the Daesh, exercises messianic faith in a direction to capture or enslave the whole world. It has a network active in more than 100 countries."

The organization has been active since 1964 and has been known for its initiatives under the guise of "moderate Islam" and "interfaith dialogue." FETO is also involved in educational activities.

"It managed to penetrate into state institutions through their disciples, who were subject to religious and ideological teaching from the very early years of their education in cell-like formations,” said the committee.

“The disciples were raised as soldiers, police, prosecutors, judges, intelligence officers, and teachers by illegally obtaining questions, answers-provided, before taking the specific ‘entrance exams’ to qualify for degree-specific University/College/Academy programs or before taking the ‘specific selection/placement exams’ for employment in state and public institutions."

FETO also carried out activities with many legal and illegal intelligence agencies, and terrorist groups, and has been involved in illegal phone tapping and tracing.

In December 2013, the terror group was also involved in a "soft coup" attempt via illegal tapping and tracing activities directly targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey’s Justice and Development (AK) Party government.

"To assume the power, the Gulenist Terrorist Organization this time carried out its biggest illegal and vicious attack against Turkey on July 15 via its disciples nested in the military. However, the people of Turkey have taken to the streets at the cost of their lives, shielded against fighter jets, tanks, and all kinds of heavy weapons, and victoriously protected their homeland, freedom and democracy," the committee said.

The committee said the coup attempt was "definitely" outside of the chain of command and was prevented in less than 24 hours through the collective efforts of the people and security forces.

To prevent "a probable second terrorist coup attempt", and to ensure public safety, democracy, and stability, a state of emergency was declared, it added.

The committee also commended its allies worldwide for rejecting the coup attempt and condemning the terrorist attacks, and taking the side of Turkey and democracy.

"Turkey will continue to fight against terrorism and all kinds of terrorist groups resolutely, which includes along with the Gulenist Terrorist Network targeting Turkey directly, the Daesh and PKK in the forefront," it added.

* Anadolu Agency correspondent Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.