Over 1,000 Turkish soldiers dismissed over FETO links

ANKARA

Over 1,000 Turkish soldiers have been dismissed over alleged links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization.

The move is part of new regulations, published on Wednesday in Turkey’s official gazette, and come as part of the country’s three-month state of emergency.

The Turkish Coast Guard and Gendarmerie General Command have also been brought under Interior Ministry control.

A total of 1,684 military personnel – including former Chief of Air Staff Akin Ozturk; General Adem Huduti; Lieutenant Generals Yildirim Guvenc, Ilhan Talu, Salim Ulusoy; plus Major Generals Mehmet Disli and Kubilay Selcuk – have been dismissed as part of coup bid probe.

As part of the state of emergency, the number of military officers with links to FETO has been confirmed at 87 generals, 726 commissioned officers, 256 sergeants from Land Forces Command; 32 admirals, 59 commissioned officers, 63 sergeants from Navy Force Command; 30 generals, 314 commissioned officers and 117 sergeants from Air Force Command.

According to decree, the regulation discharging all the personnel in question will come in on July 29.

Meanwhile, three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 newspapers, 29 publishing houses and 15 periodicals which have alleged links to FETO have been closed amid the state of emergency.

Turkey went through a deadly coup attempt on July 15 when rogue elements of the military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the failed coup, which martyred at least 246 and wounded nearly 2,200 people.