Turkish Red Crescent sends coup letter to 191 countries

ISTANBUL

Turkey's Red Crescent Tuesday has sent a letter to international humanitarian aid organizations about the Fetullah Terror Organization, or FETO, which is accused of mounting the July 15 defeated coup.

The letter, signed by the Turkish Red Crescent chairman Kerem Kinik, and documents including photos and reports about the defeated coup were sent to the organizations in 40 languages.

"On 15 July 2016, the FETO terror organization carried out a terrorist attempt under the leadership of its military members within the army and security forces in order to overthrow the democratically-elected Government of the Republic of Turkey," the letter reads.

The letter emphasized that at least 240 people were martyred, including the chairman of the Red Crescent’s K.Esat branch, Serhat Onder.

It added: "It was the Turkish nation which thwarted the plot. It displayed historic solidarity as it took to the streets and remained defiant. Throughout the process, all political parties, members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly [parliament] and the people stood firmly by democracy, democratic politics, democratic institutions and the constitution."

It was sent to the head of the Red Cross and the Red Crescents in 191 countries, humanitarian aid organizations of the United Nations and hundreds of active NGOs.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the coup attempt was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999.

Gulen is accused of leading 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.

*Reporting by Cigdem Pala; Writing by Fatma Bulbul

ISTANBUL

The letter, signed by the Turkish Red Crescent chairman Kerem Kinik, and documents including photos and reports about the defeated coup were sent to the organizations in 40 languages.

The letter emphasized that at least 240 people were martyred, including the chairman of the Red Crescent’s K.Esat branch, Serhat Onder.

It was sent to the head of the Red Cross and the Red Crescents in 191 countries, humanitarian aid organizations of the United Nations and hundreds of active NGOs.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the coup attempt was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999.

*Reporting by Cigdem Pala; Writing by Fatma Bulbul