Why Were They Arrested?
Since the failed military coup in Turkey in 2016, a large-scale crackdown has continued in the name of protecting national security and the constitution. As part of this ongoing operation, on May 23, 2025, 65 military and police officers were arrested for allegedly being linked to Fethullah Gulen’s organization, known as the “Fethullah Terrorist Organization” (FETO).
Details of the Arrest
According to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu, 56 of the arrested individuals are active-duty military personnel and 9 are police officers. The operation was centered in Istanbul and conducted across 36 provinces. Those arrested include members from the air force, land forces, navy, and gendarmerie. They are accused of being associated with FETO, led by Fethullah Gulen.
Fethullah Gulen and FETO
Fethullah Gulen was a religious leader and educator who went into self-imposed exile in the United States in 1999. The Turkish government declared its Hizmet movement a terrorist organization named FETO. Since the attempted coup in 2016, there has been a widespread crackdown against alleged Gulen followers in Turkey. Gulen died in the US in October 2024. However, even after his death, the Turkish government continues its operations against his followers.
The 2016 Coup and Its Aftermath
On July 15, 2016, a failed military coup occurred in Turkey, which resulted in the deaths of 290 people. The Turkish government blamed FETO for the attempted coup. Since then, thousands of military personnel, police, judges, teachers, and others have been arrested or dismissed. So far, around 25,800 military members have been arrested.
International Reactions and Criticism
Turkey’s ongoing crackdown has faced criticism from the international community. Human rights organizations have accused the Turkish government of using the crackdown to silence dissent and target political opponents. However, the Turkish government claims that the operations are necessary to protect national security and uphold the constitution.
Conclusion
The arrest of 65 military and police officers is the latest example of Turkey’s ongoing crackdown under the banner of national security following the failed coup of 2016. Even after Fethullah Gulen’s death, the Turkish government continues its operations against his organization, which is having a long-term impact on the country's political and social landscape.