Latest news with #FethullahGulen
Mail & Guardian
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Türkiye marks 9 years since the failed 15 July coup
Ambassador Nilvana Turkiye witnessed the bloodiest coup attempt in its modern history on July 15, 2016, when Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) headed by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric and businessman who lived in self-imposed exile in the state of Pennsylvania in the US from 1999 until his passing in 2024, launched a coordinated attempt to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. The terrorist group had been infiltrating the state for decades, using state resources, tools, equipment and weapons to stage a coup against the legitimate, elected government. In both scale and nature, it was unlike any other coup in the republic's history. Turkiye has experienced eight coups and coup attempts over the past 60 years. This attempted coup in 2016 saw 252 people being killed and 2,734 being wounded. In Pretoria, South Africa on 15 July 2025 The Maarif Foundation South Africa and Yunus Emre Institute, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, hosted a timely panel discussion exploring how democracies resist unconstitutional changes of government. Drawing on the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, the event offered reflections and insights relevant to democratic resilience across the continent. In her address Turkish Ambassador Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç said that Türkiye's experience holds important lessons that go beyond its borders and speak to the value of protecting democracy everywhere. Important lessons worth noting from this heinous attempt include : Democracy must be protected not just by governments, but by citizens themselves. Unity is the greatest strength The coup demonstrated how dangerous it is when illegal groups secretly infiltrate state institutions. Strong leadership and a free media played a vital role. Democracy is never guaranteed, it should be constantly defended by all generations. This is not only a message for Türkiye, but for the world. ' Never take democracy for granted.' Ambassador Yıldırımgeç went on to say that in an interconnected world, threats to democracy often cross borders. There are still individuals who participated in the 2016 coup who continue their activities abroad. Most commonly under the guise of education, media or civil society, their aim is to mislead public opinion against Turkiye. 'Remember – Democracy is not something we inherit — it is something we must build, protect, nurture, and defend every day. '
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Turkey arrests 158 military staff
Turkish police on Tuesday arrested 158 members of the military suspected of links to Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of masterminding a failed 2016 coup, the public prosecutor's office in Istanbul said. Gulen, a cleric who died in 2024, was once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. He relocated to the United States in 1999 and never returned. The government accuses Gulen's Hizmet movement of seeking to establish a "parallel state". Around 50 other members of the military were arrested in late May. The prosecutor's office said that a search was still underway for another 18 members of the military.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Turkey arrests 158 military staff suspected of links to Erdogan foe
Turkish police on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) arrested 158 members of the military suspected of links to Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of masterminding a failed 2016 coup, the public prosecutor's office in Istanbul said. Gulen, a cleric who died in 2024, was once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. He relocated to the United States in 1999 and never returned. The government accuses Gulen's Hizmet movement of seeking to establish a "parallel state". Around 50 other members of the military were arrested in late May. The prosecutor's office said that a search was still underway for another 18 members of the military. It said that the arrests mainly concerned the army. Authorities have detained close to 26,000 people accused of belonging to the Hizmet movement since the 2016 failed coup. More than 9,000 of them have been jailed, according to Turkish justice authorities.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Turkey arrests 158 military suspected of links to Erdogan foe
ISTANBUL: Turkish police on Tuesday arrested 158 members of the military suspected of links to Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of masterminding a failed 2016 coup, the public prosecutor's office in Istanbul said. Gulen, a cleric who died in 2024, was once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. He relocated to the United States in 1999 and never returned. The government accuses Gulen's Hizmet movement of seeking to establish a 'parallel state'. Around 50 other members of the military were arrested in late May. The prosecutor's office said that a search was still underway for another 18 members of the military. It said that the arrests mainly concerned the army. Authorities have detained close to 26,000 people accused of belonging to the Hizmet movement since the 2016 failed coup. More than 9,000 of them have been jailed, according to Turkish justice authorities.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Turkey arrests 65 soldiers, police for ties to late Erdogan foe
Almost 500 people, including soldiers, were arrested for participating in the 2016 attempted coup. (EPA Images pic) ISTANBUL : Turkey arrested 65 soldiers and police officers early on Friday over alleged ties to the late preacher Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of masterminding the failed 2016 coup. State news agency Anadolu said 56 active-duty soldiers from the Turkish armed forces had been arrested, with another seven still being sought. Halk TV, meanwhile, said nine police officers were arrested, 'most of them in Istanbul'. 'In an operation against the terrorist organisation FETO in 36 provinces centred in Istanbul, 56 of the 63 active-duty soldiers for whom detention orders were issued were captured,' Anadolu said. The FETO – or the 'Fethullah Terror Organisation' – is the name Turkey gives to Gulen's Hizmet movement, which once had widespread influence behind the scenes. Gulen, who died in October, was once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. He fled to the United States in 1999 and never returned. Even after his death, Turkey has vowed to pursue his followers across the globe. Quoting a prosecutors' statement, Halk said the arrest operation began in Istanbul at 6am (0300 GMT) and concerned members of the air force, the gendarmerie, and the land and naval forces.
