Turkish court accepts FETO VIP wiretapping indictment

By Muhammed Enes Can, Murat Kaya and Hanife Sevinc

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court on Wednesday accepted an indictment against 45 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) suspects for illegally wiretapping 59 people including prominent businessmen, lawmakers and journalists.

According to the indictment approved by 22nd High Criminal Court, the suspects include U.S.-based FETO head Fetullah Gulen plus 44 former police officers, said a judicial source speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions over talking to the media..

The suspects are accused of illegally wiretapping a number of businessmen including business mogul Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, and Dogus Holding CEO Ferit Sahenk.

FETO also allegedly wiretapped opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Muharrem Ince, and some famous journalists including Ismail Kucukkaya, Mirgun Sirri Cabas, Ismail Ugur Dundar, Nesibe Ruhat Mengi, Sabri Yilmaz Ozdil, Can Dundar, Sirin Payzin Acet and Nihat Genc.

The indictment said FETO was using the illegal recordings to blackmail and threaten the 45 victims. It also accused the terror group of using police intelligence units as "spying agencies" on behalf of it.

The first hearing is scheduled to take place on Dec. 19 at Istanbul's Silivri Penal Institution.

FETO is said to be behind the July 15 defeated coup that martyred 250 people, as well as a years-long infiltration of Turkish institutions -- particularly the military, police, and judiciary -- to form what is commonly known as a parallel state.