Over dozen FETO suspects arrested in Turkey

By Zafer Akpinar

BALIKESIR, Turkey (AA) - Security forces arrested a total of 17 medical staff on Wednesday for alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in northwestern Turkey, judicial sources said.

Prosecutors in Balikesir province had previously issued arrest warrants for former and serving health workers, said the source, asking not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Security forces held additional operations in provinces of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

The one doctor among the suspects was also allegedly a member of a criminal organization run by Turkish televangelist Adnan Oktar.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey 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.