Turkish police arrest 45 FETO suspects

By Muhammed Enes Can and Murat Kaya</p> <p> ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish security forces arrested 45 suspects Tuesday for alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), said a judicial source.</p> <p> The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had earlier issued arrest warrants for 102 suspects for allegedly using ByLock, an encrypted cellphone app used by FETO coup plotters.</p> <p> Following the warrants, the police counter-terrorism department held 45 suspects, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.</p> <p> Operations are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.</p> <p> FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.</p> <p> Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.</p> <p> * Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez