Over 15 FETO suspects arrested across Turkey

By Serdar Acil

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish police have arrested at least 19 Naval Forces personnel in seven provinces including the capital Ankara for their suspected links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup attempt, judicial sources said Tuesday.

The arrests came after Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 34 suspects -- 31 of them serving officers with the Naval Forces including colonels and lieutenant colonels.

A police search was underway to nab the remainder of the suspects, said the sources -- who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the media restrictions.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (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 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.