Turkish police arrest 45 FETO suspects

By Muhammed Enes Can and Murat Kaya

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish security forces arrested 45 suspects Tuesday for alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), said a judicial source.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had earlier issued arrest warrants for 102 suspects for allegedly using ByLock, an encrypted cellphone app used by FETO coup plotters.

Following the warrants, the police counter-terrorism department held 45 suspects, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Operations are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.

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.

Turkey 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 Beyza Binnur Donmez