More than 75 FETO suspects arrested across Turkey

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

At least 79 suspects, including former teachers, doctors and lawyers, were arrested Thursday for being allegedly linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind last year’s defeated coup, according to a security source.

In northwestern Balikesir province, a suspect -- said to be a former manager of a FETO-linked private education course -- was arrested for using FETO’s encrypted smartphone messaging application, ByLock, the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said.

The app is believed to have been cracked by Turkish security agencies, allowing them to identify tens of thousands of FETO supporters within the context of last year's defeated coup.

In southern Antalya province, 78 suspects, including former doctors, teachers and lawyers, were arrested during simultaneous raids on several addresses.

The suspects were accused of using ByLock.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt 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.