Turkish president lashes out at FETO, Western media

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday slammed U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, as a “traitor” and “dishonest”.

“FETO terror group [Fetullah Terrorist Organization], who are abusing people’s tax money to purchase the guns, tanks, warplanes, heavy weapons and use against the nation, are rascals, traitors and dishonest,” he told parliament.

Erdogan urged Turks to not leave the streets until further instruction, stressing that “FETO is a virus that has metastasized.

“It might proliferate some place where you would not expect. We are obligated to minimize it so that we can continue on our path safely. They know how to hide themselves very well,” he said.

The president also took aim at Western media for biased coverage of the coup attempt. “If the West really advocates democracy, it shouldn’t send ambivalent, allusive condemnation massages. We will send all footages and videos to them. I hope after seeing these, they will no longer call the elected president and legal government dictators so easily,” he said.

Erdogan also called on investors to alleviate their concerns on the future of the Turkish economy, noting, “All investors, do not suspend your investments, but continue with determination. As the state, we will never cease our investments on infra- and superstructure.”

During the deadly overthrow attempt last Friday, the Grand National Assembly building was ripped apart by bombs and gunfire.

Turkey's government said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating into Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming a ‘parallel state’.

At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred when rogue elements of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

More than 2,100 others were wounded as they protested against it.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Ahmet Sait Akcay contributed to the report from Ankara.