INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
left their barracks to occupy key locations, such as the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul and fighter jets and attack helicopters bombed
strategic targets including the Parliament, Presidential compound, army and police headquarters; thousands of civilians took to the streets
to stop this unprecedented heinous coup attempt
The plotters killed 251 innocent civilians and left thousands injured
On that night the Turkish people defended democracy with their lives
This heroic response was something the conspirators did not foresee
To understand what transpired, one has to understand the true nature of FETO
In the guise of promoting education and inter-religious dialogue, it managed to cover its malign intentions
The well-planned and wide-spread infiltration by FETO members and converts into the army, law enforcement, judiciary and numerous government
institutions, including my Ministry, was carried out for decades clandestinely for an overarching plan, of which the final phase was
unleashed on July 15, 2016
Democracy would not have existed and fundamental rights and freedoms would have been suspended indefinitely
The nation would have fallen in the hands of an extremist government
FETO not only controlled a significant portion of educational institutions, but also owned numerous financial institutions
Their bank accounts were fed by prominent FETO members in industry and commerce, as well as by officials and members of the public
The enormous income driven from their schools around the globe was channeled into these accounts clandestinely waiting for their ultimate
move.Following the bloody coup attempt of July 15, 2016, a resolute cleansing of the public sector, including government institutions and
the military, as well as of the private sector from all FETO affiliated persons and companies was initiated
Some prominent conspirators have been apprehended
Others escaped justice and found refuge in foreign countries
Unfortunately, these requests have not been fulfilled yet
On the other hand, elsewhere in the world, an increasing number of governments understand the danger this terrorist organization also poses
to them and are taking the necessary steps
FETO is also engaged in illegal activities such as visa fraud, money laundering and arms trafficking
Consequently, FETO members are being cleared from public and private sectors in many countries
Many schools affiliated with this terrorist organization abroad have been transferred to the Turkish Maarif Foundation after 2016
fight against FETO is no different than that exercised by other countries against organizations which had terrorized officials and civilians
alike, and endangered democratic values, fundamental rights and freedoms
All procedures are in compliance with law
Terrorism does not have a nationality, ethnicity or religion
This menace threatens humanity as a whole
Therefore, the response to this threat must be united and determined
FETO is responsible for the loss of hundreds of lives as well as other grave crimes against the Turkish people
organizations such as the PKK, PYDYPG, DHKP-C and DAESH
