Turkey: MP calls on Thailand to hand over FETO schools

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A lawmaker at the Turkish parliament on Thursday called on Thai government to hand over the FETO-affiliated schools in Thailand.

Hosting Thai Ambassador to Turkey Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit at the Turkish parliament, Metin Gundogdu said Fetullah Terrorist Organization not only poses threat against Turkey, but also to every country it has presence in.

"FETO, which spread all over the world, can attempt a coup in every country as it carried out in Turkey," said Gundogdu, head of the Turkey-Thailand inter-parliamentary friendship group.

Gundogdu said that FETO schools carried out their duties "under the roof of Pan-Asia International Schools and Thai-Turkish Chamber of Commerce."

He called on the Thai government to hand over FETO schools to Turkish Maarif Foundation.

"We are ready to give any kind of support for the handover of these schools," said Gundogdu.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 after a coup attempt to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (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.

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.