Police raid Istanbul courts as part of FETO probe

By Muhammed Enes Can

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish police have raided courts in Istanbul after an arrest order for 173 people was issued Monday, a judicial source said.

Istanbul, Bakirkoy and Gaziosmanpasa courts were raided as part of an ongoing investigation into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Police also conducted searches in the offices, as well the homes, of the 173 suspects who all work in the three Istanbul courts.

Following the July 15 coup attempt, around 26,000 people have been arrested across Turkey. Senior business figures as well as military, police, judges, prosecutors and teachers have been among those targeted.

At least 240 people were killed in the coup attempt, which the government has said was organized by the followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

* Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.