4 FETÖ convicts get aggravated life sentences in Turkey

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Four convicts, including a former MP and the ex-chairman of private broadcaster STV were given aggravated life sentences in a case linked to what the authorities call the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). Anadolu Agency reported on June 8.

The Ankara 4th Heavy Criminal Court handed down aggravated life sentences to Hidayet Karaca, former chairman of Samanyolu TV (STV), former lawmaker İlhan İşbilen, Alaeddin Kaya, former grant holder of daily Zaman that was shut down by the government and Kazım Avcı, a relative of Fethullah Gulen in one of the major cases involving 75 defendants.

They were given jail terms on the charge of attempting to violate the country's constitution.

Abdulkadir Aksoy, one of the attorneys of Gülen, another attorney Ali Çelik and businessman Dilaver Azim were sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for being a member of an armed terror organization.

According to the government, FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Gülen orchestrated the coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.