By Hakan Mehmet Sahin

EDIRNE, Turkey

Security forces apprehended Monday three suspected Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members in northwestern Turkey as they attempted to flee to Greece, a security source said.

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.

The three FETO suspects -- identified only by their initials as Y.G., B.K., and F.B. -- were arrested in Edirne province at a gendarmerie checkpoint in Ipsala district, the source said on condition of anonymity due to the restrictions on talking to the media.

Gendarmerie teams also remanded one person who allegedly facilitated the escape.

Ankara 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.