University employees face FETÖ charges
A Turkish prosecutor yesterday filed charges against 54 Istanbul University academics for allegedly being linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which is accused of instigating Turkey's July 15 military coup plot.
In the indictment prepared by Istanbul Public Prosecutor and submitted to Istanbul's 14th High Criminal Court, the suspects are charged with "establishing or leading an armed terror group" and "being members of a terrorist organization."
The prosecutor's office sought different terms of imprisonment, ranging to over 22 years in some cases.
Fourteen suspects, including professors and assistant professors, were detained in a recent police raid at Istanbul University, accused of being members of FETÖ's academic network.
The indictment states that some of the suspects used the encrypted smartphone application ByLock, which the authorities believe was linked to the July 15 coup attempt. The app is almost exclusively used by FETÖ in Turkey.
The indictment added that police found $1 bills in some suspects' houses and offices during the raid.
It is claimed some academics had these banknotes to show their loyalty to Fetullah Gülen, the U.S.-based leader of the terror group. Police found $1 bills in other investigations against FETÖ, mostly in possession of military officers linked to the terror cult.
The court will decide within 15 days whether to approve the indictment.
Turkey accuses FETÖ of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
In the indictment prepared by Istanbul Public Prosecutor and submitted to Istanbul's 14th High Criminal Court, the suspects are charged with "establishing or leading an armed terror group" and "being members of a terrorist organization."
The prosecutor's office sought different terms of imprisonment, ranging to over 22 years in some cases.
Fourteen suspects, including professors and assistant professors, were detained in a recent police raid at Istanbul University, accused of being members of FETÖ's academic network.
The indictment states that some of the suspects used the encrypted smartphone application ByLock, which the authorities believe was linked to the July 15 coup attempt. The app is almost exclusively used by FETÖ in Turkey.
The indictment added that police found $1 bills in some suspects' houses and offices during the raid.
It is claimed some academics had these banknotes to show their loyalty to Fetullah Gülen, the U.S.-based leader of the terror group. Police found $1 bills in other investigations against FETÖ, mostly in possession of military officers linked to the terror cult.
The court will decide within 15 days whether to approve the indictment.
Turkey accuses FETÖ of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.