Head of coup inquiry committee claims CHP backed terror cult
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) thwarted the state's fight against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), the head of Parliament's committee investigating the July 15 coup attempt, which has been blamed on the terrorist group, said.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Reşat Petek said the committee, which wrapped up its inquiry on Jan. 4, determined the strategy and tactics of the terror cult and evidence showed FETÖ cooperated with political parties to boost its clout. He named the CHP as an obstacle to the state's struggle against Gülenists as they emerged as a national threat in 2013 in the wake of two disguised coup attempt. "The CHP supported the parallel structure and sided with its members," Petek said, referring to the name attributed to Gülenist infiltrators in the bureaucracy, judiciary, law enforcement and military.
FETÖ, which initially started out as a religious movement, evolved into a powerful network operating schools and running companies. In recent years, it openly waged war against the government and anyone criticizing it. The group now stands implicated in a number of cases about sham trials it orchestrated with its followers in law enforcement and judiciary, blackmail, extortion and illegal wiretapping of thousands. "We collected a large number of documents, information on how it advanced, how it infiltrated into state agencies, political parties etc. and found out its tactics and strategies," Petek said. He stated that FETÖ members had tried to approach politicians governing the country since its inception decades ago. "Fetullah Gülen (leader of the cult) has prepared for staging a coup through its followers since the 1960s. He has been trained for this and was employed by foreign powers," Petek claimed.Petek said the committee contacted the Interior Ministry about the connection between FETÖ and political parties and if there were any and the response showed the CHP was among active supporters of the terror cult. "The reports we received show that some CHP lawmakers both provoked the public and actively supported the parallel structure, both with their statements and actions," he said, referring to the participation of lawmakers in rallies by supporters of the terror cult after the state moved to seize assets of the terrorist group.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Reşat Petek said the committee, which wrapped up its inquiry on Jan. 4, determined the strategy and tactics of the terror cult and evidence showed FETÖ cooperated with political parties to boost its clout. He named the CHP as an obstacle to the state's struggle against Gülenists as they emerged as a national threat in 2013 in the wake of two disguised coup attempt. "The CHP supported the parallel structure and sided with its members," Petek said, referring to the name attributed to Gülenist infiltrators in the bureaucracy, judiciary, law enforcement and military.
FETÖ, which initially started out as a religious movement, evolved into a powerful network operating schools and running companies. In recent years, it openly waged war against the government and anyone criticizing it. The group now stands implicated in a number of cases about sham trials it orchestrated with its followers in law enforcement and judiciary, blackmail, extortion and illegal wiretapping of thousands. "We collected a large number of documents, information on how it advanced, how it infiltrated into state agencies, political parties etc. and found out its tactics and strategies," Petek said. He stated that FETÖ members had tried to approach politicians governing the country since its inception decades ago. "Fetullah Gülen (leader of the cult) has prepared for staging a coup through its followers since the 1960s. He has been trained for this and was employed by foreign powers," Petek claimed.Petek said the committee contacted the Interior Ministry about the connection between FETÖ and political parties and if there were any and the response showed the CHP was among active supporters of the terror cult. "The reports we received show that some CHP lawmakers both provoked the public and actively supported the parallel structure, both with their statements and actions," he said, referring to the participation of lawmakers in rallies by supporters of the terror cult after the state moved to seize assets of the terrorist group.