Turkish PM rules out possibility of second coup attempt

By Kadir Karakus

ANKARA

The Turkish prime minister accused the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, or FETO, of perpetrating rumors of a possibility of second coup attempt.

“There will be a new [coup] attempt, it will be tonight, [they] will come tomorrow… Those are a pack of lies to create unrest in the society,” Binali Yildirim said, accusing Fetullah Terrorist Organization, or FETO of being behind the rumors.

Speaking to reporters during a reception to mark the new legislative term of the Turkish parliament, Yildirim said that the government was taking all the necessary measures to prevent any such attempt.

Yildirim's remarks came after several media reports claimed that the government feared a second coup attempt.

He said those who would try to plot another coup attempt would pay a price higher than those who organized the one on July 15.

Turkey’s government blames FETO for the deadly July 15 defeated coup in the country. At least 241 people were martyred in the failed coup, which the government has said was organized by followers of Fethullah Gulen, the head of FETO.

Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through the infiltration of state institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.