36 FETO suspects caught at borders since defeated coup

By Salih Baran

EDIRNE, Turkey

Since last year’s defeated July 15 coup, Turkey has captured 36 suspects linked to the terrorist group behind the coup who were trying to flee to Europe.

According to a data analysis by Anadolu Agency, Turkish soldiers stationed on the Turkish side of the Greek and Bulgarian borders prevented 36 suspected Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members from fleeing to Europe by unlawful means.

Among the suspects, who were under travel bans, were ex-soldiers, academics, teachers, police officers, and doctors.

Prominent arrests

Murat Capan, the editor-in-chief of Nokta magazine, which was shut down in the aftermath of the defeated coup over links to FETO, was arrested in May in the northwestern province of Edirne. Capan, attempting to flee to Greece, was sentenced to over 22 years in jail for inciting an armed uprising against the Turkish government.

Border guards arrested Capan along with four FETO suspects, including retired police chief S.S, former university lecturer A.E.A, and expelled teachers M.C. and F.C, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Halil Kumcu, believed to be among the soldiers who abducted former Gendarmerie head Gen. Galip Mendi, was also captured in June. The night of the coup bid, Mendi was attending a wedding when a group of soldiers took him by force to Akinci Air Base, northwest of Ankara, where he was kept blindfolded and handcuffed.

Former state broadcaster TRT commentator Hamza Gunerigok was caught in late January at the Turkish border, trying to flee to Greece illegally. Gunerigok, who had an arrest warrant due to FETO links, was later arrested.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 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.