Investigation launched into eight Anadolu Agency reporters over Gülen links

ANKARA

An investigation has been launched into eight reporters at Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency over suspected links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, widely believed to have been behind the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt. 

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation upon claims that the correspondents used the ByLock smartphone application, which came to prominence after it emerged that it was used by followers of Gülen. 

A number of the eight correspondents - identified only by the initials as S.P., İ.Y., Y.D., T.K., A.D., Y.K., A.K. and H.Ö. - have been released as the probe continues. 

It was previously revealed that another suspected Anadolu Agency reporter, identified only as İ.T., was assigned to follow Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım during his visit to the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir last year.