The arrest warrants were issued after prosecutors determined that the suspects had communicated with the group members via landlines or payphones, and used Bylock, an encrypted messaging app developed and exclusively used by members of the group.

Police forces also conducted simultaneous operations in 22 locations and detained multiple suspects, security sources said.

Since May 2016, Turkey has classified the FETO organization as a terrorist organization under the assigned names Fethullahist Terrorist Organization and Parallel State Structure. 

After the failed coup attempt in 2016, the government of Turkey blamed the group for the coup and authorities have arrested thousands of soldiers and judges who have links to the organization. (ILKHA)