Turkish police arrest 18 FETO-linked terror suspects

By Hamza Tay

NIGDE, Turkey (AA) - At least 18 people, mainly former soldiers and military cadets, have been arrested across Turkey on Wednesday over suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), a police source said.

The arrests came after warrants were issued for 22 FETO-linked suspects by the Nigde’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Turkish security forces conducted simultaneous operations at 22 locations in Turkey’s 14 provinces, including Nigde, Istanbul, Ankara, Balikesir, Sanliurfa, Kayseri, Nevsehir, Diyarbakir, Giresun, Bursa, Karabuk, Yalova, Hatay and Kirikkale.

Search for remaining four suspects is in progress, the source added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, according to the Turkish government.

Ankara 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.