13 FETO convicts get jail terms in Turkey

By Muhittin Sandikci

ANKARA

Thirteen people were convicted of being members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and given various jail terms across Turkey on Thursday.

In seven different cases in capital Ankara in connection with a case about leaking questions ahead of the 2010 public personnel selection exam, four convicts were given six years and three months in prison for "being FETO members".

Two convicts received three years and one month in prison; they were also asked to pay a fine for committing fraud against state institutions.

In another case in southern Antalya, former Antalya Deputy Governor Bilal Celik was handed down seven years and six months jail term for "being member of an armed terrorist organization".

Separately, in the Black Sea province of Rize, five suspects were given prison sentence of three years and five months for "being member of an armed terrorist organization and helping the organization".

In eastern Erzurum province, a convict, who was tried on the charge of being an administrator of FETO's prison and judiciary structure, received a term of 15 years in jail for "establishing or managing an armed terrorist organization".

Furthermore, a convict was given seven years and six months in prison for being "a member of an armed terrorist organization".

Also, a convict, who was tried in western Kirklareli on the charge of being part of FETO's "tradesmen structure", was sentenced to six years and three months in jail for "being member of an armed terrorist organization".

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization 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.

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.