Gülenists not giving up on subversion
The Gülenist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) is trying to regain the influence it has lost in recent years in top state institutions through a new wave of secret operations, according to a report submitted to the Prime Ministry and the National Security Council (MGK).
The FETÖ, which infiltrated top state institutions, including the judiciary and police for a reign of persecution against its opponents, has been on the retreat since the government initiated a comprehensive investigation into its conduct. Its operatives in the judiciary and police were behind two operations launched in late 2013 into top politicians in an effort to topple the democratically elected government.
Since then hundreds of its operatives have been fired or jailed and its media mouthpieces have been taken over by court-appointed managers. Conglomerates financing the shadowy group have also been under investigation.
However, the report point to a group not in retreat that is trying to regain its influence in key state agencies. Gülenist operatives have allegedly been told to engage in more covert means to communicate, copying the cell system used by many terrorist groups. According to the report, operatives have been told to follow a new code of conduct using cellphones, engaging in social media and are told how to avoid being suspected by the police.
According to the report, titled "Up-to-date Strategies of FETÖ," operatives have apparently been told to shut down their social media accounts and applications. Among the other rules they need to follow are erasing all incriminating information from cellphones, dumping sim cards linked to the FETÖ and making sure that phone numbers submitted in job applications are not new and use a VPN system to hide Internet usage.
The report says operatives have been told not to alert fellow members about prospective job applications or divulge any information voluntarily. They were apparently told that state dormitories keep records for only five years so that operatives who graduated more than five years ago can say that they stayed at state dormitories rather than Gülenist dormitories. As addresses, operatives were told, as per the report, to use neighborhoods students prefer to live in or those that have recently undergone renewal projects because it is hard to do follow ups. Operatives were told to never use credit cards because their movements could be traced, so they should always pay in cash. Concerning groups of Gülenists, the report says they were told not to book hotels or plane tickets as a group, never attend crowded meetings together and minimize time spent together. Operatives are told to leave behind their cellphones and never use personal vehicles while going to meet each other.
The FETÖ, which infiltrated top state institutions, including the judiciary and police for a reign of persecution against its opponents, has been on the retreat since the government initiated a comprehensive investigation into its conduct. Its operatives in the judiciary and police were behind two operations launched in late 2013 into top politicians in an effort to topple the democratically elected government.
Since then hundreds of its operatives have been fired or jailed and its media mouthpieces have been taken over by court-appointed managers. Conglomerates financing the shadowy group have also been under investigation.
However, the report point to a group not in retreat that is trying to regain its influence in key state agencies. Gülenist operatives have allegedly been told to engage in more covert means to communicate, copying the cell system used by many terrorist groups. According to the report, operatives have been told to follow a new code of conduct using cellphones, engaging in social media and are told how to avoid being suspected by the police.
According to the report, titled "Up-to-date Strategies of FETÖ," operatives have apparently been told to shut down their social media accounts and applications. Among the other rules they need to follow are erasing all incriminating information from cellphones, dumping sim cards linked to the FETÖ and making sure that phone numbers submitted in job applications are not new and use a VPN system to hide Internet usage.
The report says operatives have been told not to alert fellow members about prospective job applications or divulge any information voluntarily. They were apparently told that state dormitories keep records for only five years so that operatives who graduated more than five years ago can say that they stayed at state dormitories rather than Gülenist dormitories. As addresses, operatives were told, as per the report, to use neighborhoods students prefer to live in or those that have recently undergone renewal projects because it is hard to do follow ups. Operatives were told to never use credit cards because their movements could be traced, so they should always pay in cash. Concerning groups of Gülenists, the report says they were told not to book hotels or plane tickets as a group, never attend crowded meetings together and minimize time spent together. Operatives are told to leave behind their cellphones and never use personal vehicles while going to meet each other.