By Mirac Kaya
BALIKESIR, Turkey (AA) - Twenty-three suspects were arrested in Turkey for having links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), judicial authorities said Monday.
Prosecutors in northwestern Balikesir province issued arrests warrants as part of a probe into the terror group’s infiltration of the Turkish Armed Forces, a source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
FETO suspects communicated with terror group members via payphone or were involved in organizational activities, said the source.
The source added that the suspects, including active-duty soldiers and former military school students, were arrested in simultaneous operations in 14 provinces and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people dead and 2,734 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.