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In an extensive counterterrorism operation against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), 158 individuals were detained across Istanbul, Izmir, and 41 other provinces in Türkiye.
The suspects include high-ranking active-duty officers such as colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, and non-commissioned officers.
The investigation revealed communication patterns consistent with FETO’s clandestine methods, including the use of payphones and prepaid lines located in public venues like kiosks, markets, and bill payment centers.
A total of 176 individuals were targeted in this wave of operations, with 158 apprehended so far. Authorities continue to pursue the remaining suspects.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the ongoing investigations revealed terrorist group FETO’s continued threat to the constitutional order of Türkiye, particularly through infiltration into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).
The primary method of uncovering FETO operatives remains the identification of communication between civilian handlers and military personnel via payphones and other publicly accessible telephone systems.
Joint efforts between the Chief Prosecutor’s Office and the General Directorate of Security’s Counterterrorism Department (TEM) utilized a nationwide database of fixed-line phone records. Since the database's deployment, 1,918 operations have been carried out, identifying 28,262 suspects. Of these, 25,869 were detained, with 9,055 later arrested and 13,972 released under judicial control.
An additional 2,842 individuals were released without conditions, while 2,393 remain fugitives.
Authorities reported that 9,533 released individuals provided useful information under the remorse law, marking a 37% confession rate among total detainees.
The operations, coordinated with the Ministry of National Defense, National Intelligence Organization (MIT), and TEM units in both Istanbul and Izmir, targeted 176 suspects.
In Izmir, arrest warrants were issued for individuals affiliated with multiple military branches:
Ranks among the Izmir suspects include:
In Istanbul, arrest warrants were issued for 176 suspects, including:
Ranks among the Istanbul suspects include:
A total of 174 suspects were confirmed as active-duty personnel.
In a separate operation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office targeting terrorist organization FETO’s covert police network, 21 suspects were detained across 14 provinces. Among them were 13 currently active police officers, six dismissed personnel, and two individuals accused of serving as FETO's so-called "civilian police imam."
The raids took place in Istanbul, Ankara, Aydin, Antalya, Balikesir, Batman, Erzincan, Gaziantep, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Mardin, Mugla, Samsun, and Sivas.
Separately, 60 individuals were taken into custody in an operation against a restaurant chain previously seized by Türkiye’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF).
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that the suspects facilitated financial transfers to individuals affiliated with FETO—many of whom had been expelled from public service by decree laws.
Investigators found that 29 of the 74 restaurant branches employed individuals involved in past FETO investigations through undocumented, off-the-books partnerships. Financial audits by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) confirmed multiple instances of unregistered monetary transfers labeled as donations, profit shares, or loans.
Operations took place across Istanbul, Aydin, Balikesir, Denizli, Bursa, Kocaeli, Eskisehir, and Izmir. Three suspects remain abroad.
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