Turkey: 102 FETO convicts sentenced to life

By Mustafa Hatipoglu and Basak Akbulut Yazar

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court has given life sentences to 102 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) convicts including high-ranking former Turkish military officers, a judicial source said on Friday.

The group was charged over incidents that took place at the War Colleges Command in Istanbul during the defeated coup of July 2016, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The charges also include the kidnapping and jailing of Tahir Bekiroglu who was a lieutenant general at the command at the time.

Sixty-seven got life sentences, while the remainder got aggravated life sentences, the source added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader 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.

By Mustafa Hatipoglu and Basak Akbulut Yazar

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court has given life sentences to 102 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) convicts including high-ranking former Turkish military officers, a judicial source said on Friday.

The charges also include the kidnapping and jailing of Tahir Bekiroglu who was a lieutenant general at the command at the time.

Sixty-seven got life sentences, while the remainder got aggravated life sentences, the source added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader 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.