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Turkish authorities have uncovered new details about the terrorist organization's Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) restructuring efforts following a year-long surveillance operation conducted across 47 provinces, centered in Gaziantep, Türkiye.
The operation, which resulted in 229 arrests, revealed that FETO has been working to rebuild its network in Türkiye using sophisticated recruitment techniques.
According to information obtained from the investigation, the organization has been holding meetings in rented houses across Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, under the guise of student gatherings.
Security forces discovered that students were transported abroad under the pretext of "excursions," where they were exposed to videos promoting FETO's ideology in an attempt to foster loyalty to the organization.
These students were reportedly monitored by "mentors" for up to two years.
Investigators found that the terrorist group FETO categorizes its members into different groups, including "high school," "vifak," and "community" segments. Those designated as "mentors" were responsible for managing safe houses and rotating students on weekly schedules.
The operation uncovered that students who showed strong allegiance to the organization were labeled as "community" members, while those showing less commitment were categorized as "vifak" and further subdivided into "A" and "B" groups.
One striking detail from the investigation revealed the organization's calculated travel procedures. Students traveling abroad were deliberately seated separately on outbound flights but placed together on return journeys.
This pattern raised suspicions among security forces, leading to enhanced surveillance that ultimately resulted in multiple arrests.
Among those providing testimony through Türkiye's effective remorse law was an individual who had been taken to Albania.
The suspect stated, "I went there involuntarily. I traveled to Albania, to the city of Tirana, with four friends in July 2024.
I knew one of the people we were going to meet, but I didn't know the other two. They introduced us at a cafe where we were watching a match.
They told me it would be an excursion, expenses would be covered, and religious education would be provided. I accepted because it seemed appropriate.
However, when I arrived there, I realized it was an organizational activity and a religious action. I regret it. I had no connection with these individuals, nor did I have any organizational purpose. My only goal was to have an inexpensive trip abroad."
The counterterrorism operation also exposed FETO's financial network, identifying business owners who provided funding to the organization. Among those implicated was former NAKSAN Holding owner Taner Nakiboglu, who had previously been arrested while attempting to flee the country following the July 15, 2016, coup attempt.
To avoid detection by financial authorities, funding was reportedly transferred in small amounts ranging from ₺3,000 ($77,4) to ₺5,000 ($129,00).
Following their court appearances, 77 of the suspects have been formally arrested, while 125 were released under judicial supervision.
Another 23 suspects were released without conditions. Authorities have indicated that comprehensive investigations related to this major operation are ongoing.
The operation has successfully dismantled FETO's regional structure in Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Sanliurfa, and Adiyaman provinces.
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