13 FETO suspects detained across Turkey

By Halil Demir

ISTANBUL

Thirteen suspects were detained Saturday in an Istanbul-based operation against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to the security and judicial sources.

The sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said that the 13 detained were part of a group of 20 sought with warrants.

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued arrest warrants for the suspects, including 14 high-ranking soldiers and six FETO members.

The Istanbul-based operation was launched in 10 provinces, including Bursa, Diyarbakir, Ankara, Gaziantep, Igdir, Mugla, Antalya, Edirne, and Sirnak.

According to Turkey’s government, FETO leader Fetullah Gulen masterminded the July 15 defeated coup, which left 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara has also said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

In the wake of the coup attempt, tens of thousands FETO suspects have been arrested, including many in the armed forces, police, judiciary, and education sector.