Turkey: 11 arrested over links to FETO terror group

By Kadir Yildiz

KOCAELI, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested at least 11 people with suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in 2016, according to a security source.

The arrests were made under a probe by prosecutors in the northwestern Kocaeli province of FETO infiltration of the Turkish Armed Forces, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

A Kocaeli-based operation including three other provinces apprehended the suspects, including 10 former military school students and a dismissed lieutenant, the source added.

FETO and its US-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.

* Writing by Sena Guler​​​​​​​