Turkish prosecutors demand 3,623 aggravated life terms for Gülen

ISTANBUL

Turkish prosecutors have demanded 3,623 aggravated life sentences for the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, as a total of all cases filed against him. 

In addition to the aggravated life terms, the prosecutors also sought 2,923 years in jail for Gülen, widely believed to have been behind the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt, daily Yeni Şafak reported on May 8.

A judicial fine equivalent to 2.2 million days was also imposed on Gülen, who was named as the prime suspect in 22 cases filed across Turkey regarding the thwarted coup that left 249 people killed and 2,193 wounded. 

Meanwhile, police have determined that the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), referring to the followers of Gülen, has been hiding members in safe houses. After it was found that the group has been hiding its members sought over the coup attempt at these addresses, the police launched an operation, daily Milliyet reported on May 8.

According to the police, FETÖ was helping its members hide at these locations before helping them move abroad. The Istanbul police’s anti-terror branch conducted the operations as a part of an investigation, in which 78 detention warrants were issued. 

The police found that 62 out of 78 sought suspects were in Istanbul on April 22 and raided 53 addresses in 21 districts. 

Some 42 suspects were apprehended in the aforementioned raids and 19 others were detained later. While 40 of those detained were arrested, the search to apprehend 17 suspects is ongoing. 

The owner of the Emex Hotel chain, Sadettin Ulubay, is reportedly among those arrested.

One of the suspects was released while the other 20 were released on condition of judicial control. 

According to police, those being hidden in safe houses including police officers and soldiers, as well as Gülenists providing intelligence to the National Intelligence Agency (MİT).