Turkey arrests 58 in major FETO terror probe

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - At least 58 people have been arrested over suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 coup bid in Turkey, Turkish authorities said on Tuesday.

The arrests were made after prosecutors issued warrants for 78 people as part of a probe into the terror group’s infiltration in the Gendarmerie General Command, according to a statement by the Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The individuals were identified through joint efforts by the Turkish police and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

Efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives are underway.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed 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.