Venezuela transfers FETO schools to Turkish foundation

By Etem Geylan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Venezuela handed two schools affiliated with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- the terrorist group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey -- over to a Turkish education body on Friday.

In a written statement, Turkey's Maarif Foundation (TMV) said an agreement was inked between the Venezuelan education minister, Turkish envoy to Caracas and an executive from the foundation.

Describing the deal as "a great achievement" of the two countries, Ambassador Sevket Mutevellioglu said Maarif served as an example for both Venezuela and the rest of Latin America with its "accurate and high-quality" education.

Thanking the Venezuelan government for its support in the transfer, Nedim Kaya, an executive from the foundation, said that Maarif Foundation had over 170 schools in 32 countries worldwide.

"Like in all other countries, our schools in Venezuela will operate with the principle of quality in education," he added.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. The foundation also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup on 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.