Over 100 FETO suspects detained across Turkey

By Ferdi Uzun

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Monday detained a total of 107 suspected members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), security officials said.

The suspects were held in dozens of operations conducted in several provinces across the country, the officials, who asked not to be named due to restriction on speaking to the media, told Anadolu Agency.

The detainees included 35 on-duty soldiers -- 20 of them were sergeants of Turkish Air Forces, the officials said.

Three suspects were detained in northwestern province of Edirne while they were attempting to cross the border into Bulgaria, security officials added.

Most of the suspects are accused of using ByLock app, encrypted messaging software used by the FETO members during last year's deadly coup attempt.

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.

* Seyhan Kirici contributed to this report from Balikesir.