Turkey: FETO leader’s foster son gets 30-year jail term

By Rauf Maltas

SANLIURFA, Turkey

A Turkish court sentenced U.S.-based Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) leader’s foster son to 30 years on Thursday.

The 6th Heavy Criminal Court in southeastern Sanliurfa province handed the jail terms to Ferhat Kucuk, who allegedly led FETO’s activity within the Turkish Armed Forces in the Sanliurfa region.

Kucuk, codenamed “Vedat”, was accused of “managing an armed terror organization,” “fraud for public loss” and “forgery of official documents.”

During the hearing, Kucuk, who was also a former teacher, denied his links to the terror group and accusations directed to him.

According to the Turkish government, FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 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.