UPDATE 2 - Over 100 FETO-linked suspects arrested in Turkey

UPDATES WITH MORE ARRESTS IN ANKARA, IZMIR, KONYA AND AYDIN

By Halil Demir and Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ISTANBUL/ANKARA (AA) - A total of 103 suspected members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) were arrested across Turkey, security officials said.

In Istanbul, 30 suspected members of the FETO were arrested after the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 59 suspects, as part of an investigation into the terror network, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The suspects are accused of using the encrypted smartphone application ByLock, which, according to Turkish authorities, was used by FETO members to communicate during and after the defeated coup attempt last year.

The official added operations to apprehend the remaining suspects were ongoing.

Meanwhile, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued arrest warrants for 51 former employees of FETO-linked schools that were shut down in accordance with a statutory decree, according to another security official.

36 of the suspects are accused of using ByLock, the source said, adding an operation was launched to arrest the suspects.

Later on Wednesday, 22 suspects out of 51 were arrested as part of an investigation carried out in Ankara, the source said.

Separately, two teachers were held in Ankara's Beypazari district for being employees of FETO-linked schools.

Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also issued arrest warrants for 51 suspects, who are accused of using the application ByLock and carrying out activities in the name of the FETO.

43 of them were arrested in simultaneous operations in the districts of Menemen, Odemis and Beydag.

Another five suspects were arrested on Wednesday during simultaneous operations based in Konya.

A so-called "regional imam" of FETO was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation carried out by Kahramanmaras Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in western province of Aydin.

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

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.