Turkish journalist remanded in custody over FETO links

By Yunus Ege, Murat Kaya Istanbul

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court on Friday remanded in custody Turkish journalist and author Ahmet Altan in connection with a Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) probe, a judicial source told Anadolu Agency.

On Thursday, Altan had been released under judicial control while his brother Turkish professor, Dr. Mehmet Altan was remanded over FETO links.

Ahmet Altan was referred back to court upon the objection of the prosecution.

He is charged with attempting to overthrow the government of Republic of Turkey and prevent its function, and being a member of an armed terrorist organization.

Turkey's main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) lawmaker Sezgin Tanrikulu was also present at Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse to show his support for Altan.

The Altan brothers had been held for allegedly giving “subliminal messages” about the coup bid during a television program a day before the July 15 incident.

Turkey's government has said the defeated coup, which left over 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and his FETO network.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.