Turkey disappointed over UK court’s decision on FETO

By Tugcenur Yilmaz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is disappointed over a decision by the UK's Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Ankara concerning the extradition of FETO members, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

"We will continue our efforts to retrieve FETO members that killed 251 citizens and left thousands wounded in the [July 2016] coup attempt," Hami Aksoy said in a statement.

"This terrorist organization is not only a threat to Turkey but also to other countries, which is why international cooperation in combating terrorism holds great importance," Aksoy said.

Aksoy said the Supreme Court’s move to reject Ankara’s appeal against a decision by the Westminster Magistrates' Court against extraditing FETO members was disappointing.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also 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 Dilara Hamit