Turkey seeks Interpol red notices for 3 ex-prosecutors

ANKARA

Turkey on Monday requested Interpol red notices for three former prosecutors linked to FETO, the group behind last year’s defeated coup.

The Supreme Court issued a request for red notices covering ex-prosecutors Zekeriya Oz, Celal Kara, and Mehmet Yuzgec, who are being sought over a 2013 plot by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

According to a 557-page indictment against the trio, Istanbul prosecutors are seeking aggravated life terms as well as up to 72 years of imprisonment on several charges, including attempting to overthrow the Turkish government, establishing and managing an armed terrorist organization, and abuse of office.

The fugitive suspects had launched a so-called graft probe against top government officials on Dec. 17-25, 2013. The probe, including a large-scale raid and the detention of prominent figures, aimed to overthrow Turkey’s elected government.

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.

Red notices

Red notices are issued by French-based Interpol at the request of police of member countries for the international search, arrest, and subsequent extradition of criminals and are distributed to 190 member countries.

The red notices -- which include criminal identity information, the type of offense allegedly committed, photos and fingerprints, and maximum punishment, if available -- are valid for five years. They can be renewed every five years at the request of the member country.

The official request for issuing red notices goes through the country’s justice ministry, then to the Interpol office of the interior ministry, and then to the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France.

A summary of all the information and documents that form the basis of the arrest warrant is included in the red notice. After examining the file, the Interpol General Secretariat finally publishes the red notice.