17 October 2017•Update: 17 October 2017
By Sahin Demir
ISTANBUL
Tajikistan has closed all the institutions linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the country’s Grand Mufti Said Mukerrem Abdulkadirzade said on Tuesday.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
“We have strongly condemned the deadly coup attempt and we have closed all the institutions related to this terrorist organization [FETO],” Abdulkadirzade said at an event organized by Tajikistan Consulate in Istanbul.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
The top cleric highlighted that Tajikistan also faced similar issues.
“Like Turkey, there are similar factors threatening our country,” he said, adding that Tajikistan is making efforts to fight such kind of threats.
Tajikistan Ambassador to Turkey Mahmadali Rajabiyon said Abdulkadirzade’s visit to Istanbul has been a good step to improve bilateral relations.
Reporting by Sahin Demir; Writing by Sena Guler
