Prosecutors name Gülen as 'prime suspect' in terror probe


U.S. based imam Fethullah Gülen is depicted as number one suspect within the scope of the recent investigation being carried out in 12 provinces regarding parallel structure allegations in Turkey's police force.The proceedings prepared by Istanbul Police Department described Gülenist organization's activities within the concepts of terror and terrorism. "Fethullahist Terror Organization" (FETÖ) description is used for the first time within the proceedings along with "parallel state structure.""The most important target of the organization is to use the information gathered by legal and illegal wiretappings, monitoring, reports to threat and blackmailing purposes, and to capture Turkey's constitutional establishments, security organizations, administrative, and judiciary bodies while becoming an internationally large and effective political and economic power" the summary of proceedings said.The proceedings emphasized a two-layered function of the organization, which are educating a moral society in Turkey and Turkic countries and capturing the state posts to obtain more power. Gülen's biography is also included in the proceedings, and it was claimed that the Gülen Movement was organized in compliance with the state model to found an alternative system, rather than waging on open war against the state.The organization's tight hierarchical organization is also revealed in the proceedings, which includes "Appointment Committee", "Advisory Council", "The Group of Mullahs" and "Majlis" bodies directly linked to Gülen and administer the organization. The hierarchical ranks of the organization are described as "The imam of the world, geographical region imam, country imam, region imam, province imam, district imam, neighborhood imam, house imam, head guides, teachers (that reside in student dormitories linked to the movement and preach the religious texts of the organization), students and congregational members."The organization had acted with the aim of establishing an organized group within the state since the day it was founded, the proceedings said, and it hides its activities behind legally conducted education facilities like prep schools, private elementary and high schools, dormitories and student houses. The organization's special focus on its business in media sector was also emphasized.Besides the financial sources received from legal businesses and businessmen donations, the proceedings said that the organization collects money from its members and congregational followers under the name of "himmet" (benevolence).The proceedings stated that organization members that hold high-rank posts as public employees use code names and make an oath that points out obedience and loyalty to the organization through sacred values. Through its economic and political power, the proceedings said, the organization conducts political operations while pursuing an independent foreign policy from the state. Political operations, which use pressure, fear and intimidation through false documents and illegally gathered information, are claimed to be conducted by the members of the organization within the security forces, public institutions and judiciary.According to the proceedings, the organization and its activities are evaluated as "terror organization" according to the first and seventh articles of 3713 numbered Counter-Terrorism Law, while its illegal wiretapping and monitoring activities are described as "political and military espionage."The proceedings accused the organization of orchestrating the Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 operations in an apparent attempt to topple the government by infiltrating government's key bodies in order to carry out illegal wiretapping activities.