FETO suspect carrying fake FBI badge held in NW Turkey

By Emre Ayvaz

SAKARYA, Turkey

A suspected Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) member carrying a fake FBI identity card was apprehended in northwestern Turkey’s Sakarya province Thursday as part of the ongoing July 15 coup-bid probe, a source at the chief public prosecutor's office said Friday.

Fatih Akcay’s interrogation continues at the Sakarya Police Directorate. Authorities are trying to figure out how the suspect obtained the fake FBI card.

Akcay lives in Belgium and worked as a teacher at the Lucerna College Antwerpen, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The suspect’s social media accounts also revealed his photographs with Gulen, who is accused by the Turkish government of being behind the coup attempt that left 241 people martyred and injured 2,200 others. On the same accounts, he wrote “IT at NATO” or “volunteer at Fetullah Gulen Academy” as part of his bio.

According to Turkish government, FETO – headed by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen – was behind the coup attempt as well as other efforts to destabilize Turkey dating back to 2013 by using supporters within state institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.