Turks in France commemorate defeated coup

By Ali Kemal Akan

STRAZBURG, France (AA) - On the eve of the deadly July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, the country's deputy prime minister warned against having the wrong impression about the Fetullah Gulen Organization (FETO) ), the group accused of being behing the coup bid.

At an event here organized by the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) to commemorate last year's defeated coup, Numan Kurtulmus vowed never to forget "the traitors and those behind the traitors”.

Turks gathered in the French city to pray for the victims of the July 15 coup attempt and remembered the thousands who took to the streets that night to stand against the putsch and defend Turkish democracy.

At least 250 people were martyred and 2,193 others injured in the overthrow attempt plotted by FETO, led by U.S.-based terror leader Fetullah Gulen.

"It is one of the greatest treacheries in Turkish history," Kurtulmus said and urged citizens to "be on the alert" against the a FETO threat.

"We will continue this fight [against FETO] fearlessly," Kurtulmus stressed. "We will continue to remember and commemorate July 15 as a day to be proud of."