Turkish comedian remanded in custody over FETO links

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz and Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish actor and comedian Atalay Demirci has been remanded in custody for alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) led by the U.S.-based preacher, Fetullah Gulen, the mastermind of the July 15 coup attempt.

Anti-terrorism police detained Demirci and sent him to Ankara court Saturday on charges of "being member of a terrorist organization."

Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office is probing the defeated coup, which martyred at least 239 and left nearly 2,200 injured.

The comedian had allegedly exchanged messages with Turkish-origin NBA player Enes Kanter, who is also known for supporting Fetullah Gulen, after the coup. In his testimony, Demirci accepted the messages and said he had also met with Kanter. He also said that he was acquainted with Gulen.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the defeated attempt was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1997.

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