101 cases against alleged FETO plotters since coup bid

By Kemal Karadag

ANKARA

Since last July’s defeated coup, Turkey has opened 101 cases against the alleged FETO terrorist coup-plotters, said a judicial source on Tuesday.

In the eight months since the July 15 coup attempt, public prosecutor’s offices throughout Turkey have carried out 10,762 investigations, an official from the Justice Ministry’s General Directorate of Penal Affairs told Anadolu agency, asking not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen -- has been accused of being behind the attempted coup, which left at least 249 people martyred and around 2,200 wounded.

The government has also accused FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

In investigations of 8,663 suspects, 4,970 suspects have been remanded into custody on charges of trying to overthrow the constitutional order, being a member of a terrorist organization, committing a crime on behalf of an organization, or praising crime and criminals, the source said.

Alleged FETO members on trial

The team that tried to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the coup attempt are on trial at the Mugla 2nd Heavy Penal Court, the source said.

At the trial, which started on Feb. 20, the accused include former Brig. Gen. Gokhan Sahin Sonmezates and former squadron leader Sukru Seymen, as well as former members of the Underwater Demolition Team (SAT) and Combat Search and Rescue (MAK) team, including former Master Sergeant Zekeriya Kuzu, the so-called “base imam" of Cigli’s 2nd Main Jet Base Command.

The trial of 27 suspects accused of taking Presidential Secretary-General Fahri Kasirga hostage also continues at Ankara’s 13th Heavy Penal Court.

Separately, the hearing of 76 defendants -- with 28 in custody, including former Second Army Commander Adem Huduti -- is taking place at Malatya’s 1st Heavy Penal Court.

The case of 330 defendants from the 58th Artillery Brigade along with the Artillery and Missile School Command in the capital Ankara’s Polatli district is also continuing.

An indictment prepared by the Office of Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor against 221 suspects including 26 generals over actions at the Turkish General Staff has been accepted by 17th High Criminal Court.

The indictment states the members of FETO attempted to overthrow and replace the constitutional order of the Republic of Turkey.

The indictment includes 38 suspected members of the so-called “Peace at Home Council,” a group of coup-plotter soldiers meant to replace the government. The trial is expected to start in May.