Turkey: 40 FETO-linked terror suspects arrested

By Cemil Murat Budak, Baris Kilic, Mehmet Emin Gurbuz, Adana Yusuf Koyun and Seyit Ahmet Eksik

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish police on Wednesday arrested 40 people for their alleged links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup attempt.

In a statement, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said arrest warrants were issued for 23 former police personnel and one civilian, who was dismissed from a public office.

In Ankara-based operations, 18 FETO-linked terror suspects were arrested.

A hunt for remaining suspects continued.

Meanwhile, police also launched simultaneous operations in six provinces as part of a northwestern Bolu-based probe into terror group’s “covert imams.”

According to security sources, seven suspects have arrested in the Bolu, Antalya, Sakarya, Ankara, Konya and Istanbul provinces.

Also, Turkish prosecutors started a new investigation into FETO terror group in the country's southern province of Adana.

According to the security sources, Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for nine suspects. At least six suspects were arrested in Istanbul and Adana provinces.

Security forces continue search for the remaining suspects.

As part of a northern Trabzon-based probe, police launched simultaneous operations in seven provinces and arrested nine suspects.

Two of the suspects were remanded in custody.

Police teams continue to search for the remaining suspects.

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.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut