Dozens detained across Turkey over suspected links to FETÖ

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

At least 46 people were detained on May 14 during simultaneous police raids across 15 provinces over suspected links to the Gülen network, according to a judicial source.

The detention came after the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued warrants for 86 suspects of the network, referred to by Turkish authorities as the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), including for 25 serving colonels and 47 suspended colonels of the Turkish Land Forces Command, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Another 14 detention warrants were issued in the Black Sea province of Bolu for two suspended teachers and 12 students and alumni of the Abant İzzet Baysal University.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued the warrants after the suspects were accused of using ByLock, an encrypted smartphone app used by members of FETÖ.

Police operations to detain the remaining suspects are continuing, the source said.

FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen are believed to have orchestrated the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, which left 250 people killed and nearly 2,200 injured.