Turkey launches operations to arrest 121 FETO suspects

By Sertac Bulur, Kemal Karadag, Savas Guler, and Selma Kasap

ANKARA/KONYA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Thursday launched counter-terror operations to arrest 121 alleged members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), security sources said.

The suspects, dismissed employees of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, were accused of using the ByLock smartphone messaging app, an encrypted software used by FETO members before and during a defeated coup attempt last year, said the sources on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The arrest warrants were issued for 121 suspects under an investigation against the ex-ministry staff.

Following the warrant, the security forces of the counter-terror office at the Ankara Police department launched an operation in 30 provinces, said the sources.

Also on Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued by central Konya’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against 70 on-duty soldiers of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Konya Police launched an operation in 31 provinces.

Operations are still underway to arrest the suspects, said the sources.

Meanwhile, the Turkish education ministry on Thursday decided to shut down four schools which are affiliated with FETO.

Two schools in Ankara, one in southern Hatay province, and one in western province Izmir were among the closed schools.

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