Turkey: 20 military pilots remanded in FETO probe

KONYA, Turkey

A Turkish court remanded 20 military pilots Monday as part of an investigation into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), a judicial source said.

Out of 25 pilots referred to court, 20, including two women, were remanded into custody, while the other five were released under judicial control, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

The chief public prosecutor in the central province of Konya had issued arrest warrants for 73 pilots -- 71 lieutenants and two colonels -- on Oct. 27 for their suspected links to FETO, and in the ensuing operation launched in 17 provinces the same day, 69 of the pilots were taken into custody, out of which 44 were referred to court and released under judicial supervision.

Monday's move brings the total number of pilots released under judicial control up to 49.

Led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, FETO is accused of orchestrating Turkey’s July 15 coup plot as well as being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

The July 15 defeated coup left 246 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.