Turkish police arrest 53 FETO-linked terror suspects

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - At least 53 suspects were arrested across Turkey on Friday as part of a probe into Fetullah Terrorist Organization’s (FETO) infiltration of Turkish Air Forces, a judicial source said.

Turkish police conducted anti-terror operations in the country’s 13 provinces, including Diyarbakir, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Seven of the suspects are on-duty personnel, the source added.

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.

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.