Turkish courts convict 5 for FETO links, Bylock app use

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

At least five people were convicted and sentenced to jail across Turkey Wednesday for being members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind last year’s defeated coup attempt, according to a security source.

In northern Samsun province, the 3rd High Criminal Court sentenced a former teacher to one year and six months in prison for membership in an armed terrorist organization and for using ByLock, FETO’s encrypted smartphone messaging application.

In northern Ordu province, the 2nd High Criminal Court sentenced three people -- ranging from six years to eight years -- for using ByLock.

In southern Hatay province, the 2nd High Criminal Court sentenced another former teacher to six years and three months for using ByLock and for membership in an armed terrorist organization.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt 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.