On the night of July 15, 2016, the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (Fetö) launched a bloody coup attempt against the people and government of my country. Its aim was to establish a radical and fundamentalist regime, loyal only to its leader, Fethullah Gülen.
As Fetö-affiliated army units left their barracks to occupy key sites such as Istanbul’s Bosphorus bridge, jets and attack helicopters bombed strategic targets including the Parliament, the presidential compound, the army and the headquarters of the police; thousands of civilians took to the streets to stop this unprecedented, hideous coup attempt.
The conspirators killed 251 innocent civilians and injured thousands. That night, the Turkish people defended democracy with their lives. This heroic response was something the conspirators did not foresee.
To understand what happened, one must understand the true nature of Fetö. Fetö was established in the late 1960s as a so-called “religious movement”. Under the guise of promoting education and interreligious dialogue, he managed to cover up his bad intentions.
The well-planned and extensive infiltration of converted Fetö members into the Army, law enforcement, the judiciary, and numerous government institutions, including my ministry, was carried out clandestinely for decades for the sake of a comprehensive plan, the final phase of which was triggered on July 15, 2016.
If the coup attempt had been successful, there would have been a very different Turkey today. Democracy would not have existed and fundamental rights and freedoms would have been suspended indefinitely. The nation would have fallen into the hands of an extremist government.
Fetö not only controlled a significant portion of educational institutions, but also owned numerous financial institutions. Their bank accounts were fed by prominent Fetö members in industry and commerce, as well as officials and members of the public administration.
Many innocent civilians were also lured into contributing to Fetö’s finances while their piety was manipulated. The huge income generated by their schools around the world was secretly directed into these accounts waiting for their last move.
After the bloody coup attempt of July 15, 2016, a resolute cleansing of the public sector, including government and military institutions, as well as the private sector, of all people and companies affiliated with Fetö began.
Some prominent conspirators were arrested. Others escaped justice and found refuge in foreign countries. The head of the Fetö terrorist organization, Fethullah Gülen, still resides in the United States. Our government has been requesting the extradition of Gülen from the US to Turkey for years, as well as Fetö members living in European countries. Unfortunately, these requests have not yet been fulfilled.
On the other hand, in other parts of the world, an increasing number of governments understand the danger that this terrorist organization also poses to them and are taking the necessary measures. Fetö also carries out illegal activities such as visa fraud, money laundering and arms trafficking. As a result, Fetö members are being pushed out of the public and private sectors in many countries.
Numerous schools affiliated with this overseas terrorist organization were transferred to the Turkish Maarif foundation after 2016. Today, Maarif schools are functioning in many countries and are providing excellent education all over the world.
The nature and scope of Turkey’s struggle against Fetö is no different from that exercised by other countries against organizations that have terrorized officials and civilians alike, and endangered democratic values, fundamental rights and freedoms. Turkey is doing what the respective countries have been doing in their fight against terrorism. All procedures comply with the law.
Terrorism has no nationality, ethnicity or religion. This danger threatens humanity as a whole. Therefore, the response to this threat must be united and determined. No state can afford to differentiate between terrorists, and no terrorist organization can be classified as “useful” according to preferences.
Fetö is responsible for the loss of hundreds of lives as well as other serious crimes against the Turkish people. Six years after July 15, 2016, Turkey continues its resolute fight against Fetö, just as it continues its fight against other terrorist organizations such as the PKK, PYD YPG, DHKP-C and Daesh.
We hope that the international community will show solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.
