Turkey: Over 50 FETO-linked terror suspects detained

By Omer Yildiz, Mirac Kaya and Gulsem Adam

ADANA/BALIKESIR/ANTALYA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested 52 suspects over ties to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated 2016 coup.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices in the southern provinces of Adana and Antalya and western province of Balikesir issued warrants for 52 people, including some officials.

Adana-based anti-terror operations were launched simultaneously in five provinces, and 22 suspects were arrested.

Additionally, in Balikesir-based operations, carried out in eight provinces -- including Istanbul and Ankara -- 10 suspects were arrested.

Also, 20 suspects were arrested in an anti-terror operation in Antalya where 10 of the detained suspects were released after their statements.

The arrest warrants were issued after suspects were found to have communicated with members of the terror group.

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.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut from Ankara.