Police arrest 11 in FETO operation in Turkish capital

ANKARA

At least 11 suspects were arrested in Ankara on Wednesday over suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), according to security sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The arrests came after prosecutors issued a warrant for 44 suspects -- including public officials -- over alleged links to FETO.

According to a statement from judicial authorities, the suspects were found to be using ByLock, an encrypted cellphone app used by FETO coup plotters

Operations to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing.

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.

Turkey 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.

Writing by Fatih Hafız Mehmet