Turkey: 49 Arrested, Two Wanted In Operations Against FETÖ

Turkish security forces captured 49 suspects, with two more suspects on the run, in operations against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) on Tuesday.

One operation based in Istanbul targeted the terrorist group’s efforts for “revival” after multiple operations in the aftermath of FETÖ’s July 15, 2016 coup attempt dealt a blow to the group.

In Istanbul, an investigation discovered that the terrorist group was running a dershane (prep school) in the city’s Üsküdar district and recruiting new members under the guise of helping students.

An ensuing operation led to the capture of 35 suspects, accused of being members of the “education network” of the terrorist group.

Authorities said a prep school was run by a person with no past links to the terrorist group but secretly operated by FETÖ members. 

They added that all the staff of the prep school were also associated with the terrorist group.

Before they were shut down in 2015, prep schools, attended by thousands of students preparing for university admission exams, were exploited as places to recruit new members to FETÖ by brainwashing students.

For years, FETÖ disguised itself as a charity movement with a focus on education and operated a large number of schools across Turkey.