Turkish courts convict 10 over FETO links

By Selim Bostanci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish courts on Tuesday handed prison sentences to 10 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members, the group behind last year's defeated coup attempt.

They include, three teachers, an academic and a former police offer, who were handed prison sentences from one to nine years, according to the rulings.

Also, 37 suspects, including 14 former soldiers, were arrested for allegedly being members of FETO, as part of investigations carried out in seven Turkish provinces, according to the police.

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 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.