Turkish police launched simultaneous operations at some addresses after the Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul had issued arrest warrants for 15 suspects, including a purged officer, and 13 former cadets, who allegedly have links to the organization.

The arrest warrants were issued after prosecutors determined that the suspects had communicated with the group members via landlines or payphones.

While 14 suspects have been taken into custody, the security forces are still looking for the remaining fugitive suspect, police 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 arrested thousands of soldiers and judges who have links to the organization. (ILKHA)