Turkish police seize millions of lira in FETO raids

By Huseyin Bagis

ISTANBUL (AA) – Istanbul police seized millions of Turkish liras on Wednesday as part of a probe into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

According to security sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, officers from anti-smuggling and organized crime teams raided different addresses across the city, including Gungoren, Beylikduzu, Sariyer and Kadikoy.

During the operation, police seized 3.5 million liras (approx. $1.16 million), 50 million in checks ($16.5 million), organizational documents and one-U.S.-dollar bills with an F serial number, believed to be used to show membership of the FETO.

At least 11 people, including a purported leading fundraiser, were also held during the raid. The suspects are accused of having links to the organization.

The monies were believed to have been collected as charitable donations from Gulen followers, the sources said.

Turkey’s government has repeatedly said the deadly July 15 coup attempt, which martyred at least 238 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by the followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of implementing a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the ‘parallel state’.

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