Turkey's intelligence agency MIT dismisses 87 personnel

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has dismissed 87 personnel for suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to an intelligence agency source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said a probe pending against 100 out of 141 MIT personnel had been concluded so far.

Out of 87 MIT personnel dismissed, 52 will face criminal complaints, the source said.

The decision was made under a statutory decree issued in July during the current three-month state of emergency in Turkey.

The dismissed MIT personnel will not be allowed to work in any other state organization.

Turkish government blames FETO for the deadly July 15 coup attempt. At least 241 people were martyred in the coup attempt, which the government has said was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, the head of FETO.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.