73 Suspects Arrested in “KISKAÇ-23” FETÖ Operations Across 16 Provinces
Turkey’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that 73 suspects were apprehended during the “KISKAÇ-23” operations targeting the FETÖ organization, which have been ongoing for the past four days in 16 provinces.
Under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department, Financial Crimes and Anti-Smuggling Department (KOM), and Counter-Terrorism Department (TEM), the operations were executed by the Provincial Police Departments’ TEM and KOM branches.
The operations took place in the following provinces: Ankara, Çorum, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Edirne, İstanbul, İzmir, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Kırşehir, Kütahya, Mersin, Malatya, Rize, Samsun, and Sivas.
The 73 suspects were actively involved in FETÖ’s so-called “Confidential Legal Structure and Current Structure.” They were accused of receiving exam questions in advance as part of various exam investigations and being coded for preferential treatment during interviews. They communicated via payphones and used the organization’s encrypted messaging application, “ByLock.” Additionally, their names appeared in confessions and identifications, and they had finalized prison sentences and outstanding arrest warrants related to FETÖ investigations.
Yerlikaya reaffirmed the government’s determination to continue operations unwaveringly against terrorist organizations and their collaborators, with the support and prayers of the Turkish nation.
“We will not allow FETÖ members to breathe. Our operations against terrorist organizations and their collaborators will continue with determination, supported by our nation’s prayers and backing,” stated Yerlikaya on Twitter.