Operation in 4 provinces: 16 detained in FETÖ investigation

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau has issued detention warrants for 16 suspects as part of investigations into the "covert services" structure of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

According to the statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation into the structure referred to as "covert services" within the FETÖ Land Forces Command determined that certain individuals were affiliated and in contact with the organization's covert structure. It was established that these individuals communicated with civilian imams using payphones located in public businesses such as kiosks, grocery stores, and markets across Ankara.

In this context, detention warrants were issued for 16 suspects, including 1 covert imam, 1 active-duty military personnel, 8 previously dismissed or retired military personnel, and 6 military personnel whose ties had been severed.

Operations to apprehend the suspects and transfer them to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office are being carried out by teams from the Ankara Provincial Police Department's Counter-Terrorism Branch.

FETÖ OPERATION IN 4 PROVINCES CENTERED IN ISTANBUL: 6 DETAINED

In Istanbul, a person with a finalized prison sentence for being a member of the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization was apprehended by police teams. Examinations of the phone found in the suspect's home revealed the use of the encrypted messaging network 'Signal,' which is used by members of the organization. An operation was launched against 8 people identified as operating on behalf of the organization's current structure through this network, as well as 2 people against whom there were statements regarding their work for the organization. In the simultaneous operation conducted at 14 different addresses in 4 provinces, 6 of the 10 suspects were captured.

Teams from the Istanbul Police Counter-Terrorism Branch apprehended a suspect with a finalized prison sentence for being a member of the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization in an operation they conducted. Digital materials seized during the search of the detained suspect's home were examined. The examinations revealed that the suspect's phone contained the encrypted program 'Signal,' which organization members use among themselves to avoid detection. The teams examining the program identified 8 more people who used the program and were active within the organization's current structure. On the other hand, efforts were also initiated to apprehend 2 suspects who were reported to be ByLock users and to have transferred money to organization members, based on statements given by FETÖ members detained in previous operations.

Following these efforts, a simultaneous operation was conducted this morning at 14 different addresses in 4 provinces, centered in Istanbul, targeting 10 suspects. 6 suspects were captured in the operation. While it was determined that 2 of the suspects are abroad, efforts to apprehend the 2 fugitives are ongoing.

News Source: AA