Turkey: 47 FETO suspects arrested in coup attempt probe

By Sertac Bulur and Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA (AA) - At least 47 people were arrested Wednesday in the Turkish capital for allegedly being linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind last year’s defeated coup, according to a police source.

The arrests came after the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Ankara issued warrants for 87 suspected members of the group, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

During the operations, Ankara's anti-terror branch units raided 65 different locations across the city, which were said to be used as hideouts to carry out organizational activities and hold secret meetings.

The police are still looking for the remaining 30 suspects, the source added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the July 15, 2016, defeated coup attempt in Turkey, which martyred 250 and left nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara blames FETO for being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.