FETÖ suspects head to Greece for shelter

AS SOME 144 suspects linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) have been nabbed by Turkish police between October and November, members of the group are increasingly choosing Greece as a hideout and safe haven.

AN ISTANBUL court yesterday ordered the release of Bekir Gökmen Ulu, a reporter for the Sözcü newspaper accused of aiding the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). Ulu was among four defendants who include the staff and owner of the newspaper and was the only jailed defendant. Burak Akbay, the owner, remains at large.

The reporter ran story that revealed the location where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was vacationing at the time FETÖ was trying to seize power. On July 15, 2016, putschist troops attempted to assassinate Erdoğan in his hotel, but the president found out about the coup attempt and left the hotel before the assassin team arrived.

Ulu claimed that everybody in Marmaris, the southwestern town where Erdoğan was on vacation, knew where Erdoğan stayed and that it should not be counted as a crime to report on the whereabouts of an important figure. Ulu denied the charges of aiding FETÖ. Three journalists who are known for their strong opposition to Sözcü’s hardline coverage, testified as witnesses in yesterday’s hearing and said the newspaper cannot be affiliated with the terrorist group.