EDIRNE, Turkey

Three suspects -- two former lieutenants and one deputy police director -- allegedly having links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), were apprehended in western Turkey while attempting to illegally cross to Greece, security sources said on Sunday.

Gendarmerie forces nabbed former lieutenants identified only by the initials, O.S. and B.B., and one deputy police director H.S.U. in Edirne province, said the sources who asked not to be named, due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Later, Deputy police director was remanded in custody, the sources added.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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.