Anti-terror operations against FETÖ launched in 16 provinces
|Reuters Photo


Counterterror operations were launched across Turkey to nab more than 100 suspects allegedly linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which is responsible for last year's botched coup attempt, a police source said Wednesday.

The operations in 16 provinces, including capital Ankara and western Izmir province came after the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for a total of 112 suspects.

The Istanbul-based operations were conducted as part of a probe into the Journalists and Writers Foundation, also known as the JWF, whose honorary president is FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen.

FETÖ, led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, is accused of leading the July 15 failed coup attempt and of infiltrating Turkish state institutions, especially the military, police apparatus and judiciary, with the ultimate aim of creating a parallel state.

The attempt was prevented by military troops loyal to the government, along with police units and millions of Turkish citizens in favor of democracy. A total of 250 people, consisting of mostly civilians, were killed by pro-coup soldiers, while over 2,000 people were injured.

In the wake of the deadly coup attempt, tens of thousands of public sector personnel, including civil servants, teachers, police, judges and prosecutors have been removed from their jobs.