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Turkish authorities have arrested 61 active-duty military officers in a sweeping operation targeting the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), officials announced Monday. The nationwide crackdown spanned 36 provinces, with Istanbul serving as the operation’s hub.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 62 suspects detained during the investigation were transferred to Istanbul’s Caglayan Courthouse following police procedures. A criminal court of peace later ordered the arrest of 61 suspects. One individual was released under judicial control with a travel ban and a requirement to report regularly to authorities.
The coordinated raids were launched on May 23, targeting suspects within the Turkish Armed Forces, including personnel from the Air Force, Land Forces, Naval Forces, and the Gendarmerie General Command.
Among the 63 suspects identified were four colonels, eight lieutenant colonels, 12 majors, 15 captains, and 24 non-commissioned officers and specialized sergeants. Authorities said that all but one of the suspects—identified as active-duty military personnel—were apprehended. Efforts to capture the remaining fugitive are ongoing.
Investigators found that the suspects were in contact with civilian FETO handlers who used payphones located in convenience stores, markets, and bill payment centers to communicate—methods the group has historically employed to evade surveillance.
FETO is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Pakistan. The group, which has operated covertly in Türkiye since the 1960s, attempted to overthrow the government on July 15, 2016. The failed coup resulted in the deaths of 252 people and left 2,735 others injured. The putsch was thwarted by widespread public resistance.
Fetullah Gulen, the group’s U.S.-based leader, was accused of masterminding the coup. He died in October 2024.
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