A woman mourns as she visits her son's grave who was killed during an attempted coup in 2016 as she attends a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the failed coup in Ankara, Turkey.
Germany is becoming a safe haven for sympathizers and members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), two years after the group’s foiled coup attempt in Turkey.
Around 14,000 people with suspected ties to FETO have arrived in Germany over the last two years, the country’s international broadcaster DW reported this week.
From changes in the economy to a shift in governance, Turkey has seen some pretty grand developments since July 15, 2016.
Turkey since the coup attempt on July 15, 2016
The U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen’s shadowy group orchestrated a coup in July 2016 after a long, secretive campaign to infiltrate state institutions in Turkey. The attempted military takeover left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Despite Turkey’s repeated warnings, Berlin has not yet outlawed the group, arguing that they do not constitute a serious threat to Germany.
July 15 marks the second anniversary of the defeated coup during which the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- a clandestine group organized under the guise of education which infiltrated state offices, especially the military, judiciary, civil service, and treasury, and which tried to take over the government -- attempted a coup in 2016.Galeri: Turkey commemorates martyrs of failed July 15 coupThe night of July 15, 2016, the coup attempt saw tanks closing down a bridge in Istanbul that connects Asia to Europe, and fighter jets and helicopters flying down over Istanbul and Ankara and bombing the presidential complex, parliament building, police and intelligence headquarters, while civilians came out to resist the coup.Then-Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar was taken hostage by the putschists, as he said he would not support the coup bid.Turkish parliament speaker marks July 15During the defeated coup, a total of 251 people including police and civilians were martyred, and nearly 2,200 were wounded.The coup attempt, orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), led by the U.S.-based so-called “cleric” Fetullah Gulen, aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the government and capturing the state.In a television appearance at 11.02 p.m., then-Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said it was a revolt and they were evaluating the possibility of a coup attempt. He added: “Those who are involved in this unlawful act will pay the heaviest price."Galeri: View of 15 July Martyr Bridge from the airSpeaking to CNN Turk at 12.24 a.m., President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: “This incident, unfortunately, is the coup attempt of a minority within the Turkish Armed Forces. This is a revolt encouraged and used by the parallel structure (FETO) as its mastermind."The president called on the Turkish people to take to the streets in order to stop the coup-plotters.In response, people poured into the squares to protect democracy all around Turkey, especially in the capital Ankara and Istanbul, climbed on tanks, stood against guns, and defeated the heinous coup attempt.Turkish embassy in Iraq marks July 15In the legal process in the years since, in 194 cases concluded out of 289, a total of 2,381 people convicted of involvement in FETO have gotten jail terms, including 1,624 life sentences.
What happened on July 15, 2016?
As German authorities tolerated their activities, Gulenists have set up new propaganda outlets and associations in recent months to support FETO suspects who fled Turkey, local media reported.
At least 1,177 Turkish citizens with diplomatic or service passports, including former soldiers, officials, and their family members, applied for asylum in Germany, the country’s immigration authority BAMF has confirmed.
A Berlin-based branch of the group, Aktion für Fluchtlingshilfe, has provided support for these asylum-seekers, according to the reports.
Turkey’s parliament speaker said Sunday that their aim is to keep alive the spirit of national unity that flowered in the face of the defeated July 15, 2016 coup.Speaking to reporters following his visit to the Karsiyaka Martyrs' Cemetery in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim said, citing Turkey’s current population: “Our aim is to keep the spirit of July 15 alive, make the brotherhood, unity and solidarity of 81 million everlasting.”The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Turkey marks the historic day as Democracy and National Unity Day with events to commemorate those who lost their lives beating back the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.“We commemorate with mercy and gratitude, our martyrs, who devotedly, willingly sacrificed their lives on July 15 in defense of our land,” Yildirim said.He added that commemorative events will be held throughout the day by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, government ministers, and various institutions.Erdoğan will also take part in a march on Istanbul’s July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, where he will make an address.Turkish embassy in Iraq marks July 15Turkish embassy in Iraq marks July 15Erdoğan recites Quran for martyrs of July 15 coupUS media shortchanges FETÖ threat: Film director
Turkish parliament speaker marks July 15
Most of them were former officials and soldiers wanted by Turkey due to ongoing investigations of their suspected links to the coup attempt or FETO itself.
Tolerance, tension
Ankara has long urged Berlin not to grant political asylum to former officials, and to instead return them to Turkey for a fair and transparent trial at home.
Germany’s tolerance towards the group, and its reluctance to extradite FETO suspects to Turkey, has been a source of tension between the two countries.
While in recent weeks German authorities made critical statements about the group and signaled a tougher stance, they have not yet taken any concrete measures.
Turkish citizens have found diverse ways to pay their respects to the martyrs of the July 15 failed coup attempt. Some visited cemeteries while others hiked to the top of mountains or went long distance bike riding.Turkey commemorates martyrs of failed July 15 coup
Show All
These include ideological forerunners of the group Abdullah Aymaz and Mehmet Ali Sengul.
Adil Oksuz, a top suspect in the 2016 coup attempt, also spent some time in Germany after fleeing Turkey, according to several witnesses.
The 51-year-old theology lecturer received support from the FETO network in the country.
A ceremony was held in the Turkish consulate in East Jerusalem on Sunday to mark the 2nd anniversary of the defeated coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.Addressing the ceremony, Erman Topcu, Turkish temporary charge d’affaires, said July 15 was one of the most important breaking points in Turkey’s history."As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said... the resistance on July 15 has clearly shown to all coup plotters in the world that there is no superior power to the national sovereignty," he said.He said the Turkish people have shown that they would never accept any attack on the state."We respectfully salute all of our martyrs and offer our gratitude for the great efforts our veterans and the Turkish nation have made," he said.The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Turkey marks the historic day as Democracy and National Unity Day with events to commemorate those who lost their lives beating back the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.Turkey’s great struggle against FETÖSurvivors share experiences of Turkey's deadly coup bid
Jerusalem marks anniversary of defeated coup in Turkey
False image
Since the 1990s, Gulen’s shadowy group has also managed to build a large network in Germany, which is home to more than 3 million Turkish immigrants.
The group owns dozens of private schools, businesses, and several media organizations, and claims to have around 70,000 followers on German soil.
FETO members have tried to avoid public criticism in Germany by focusing on "interfaith dialogue" programs and sticking to “moderate” messages.
15 July Martyr Bridge is closed to traffic due to the commemoration of the victory over the coup attempt which took place on 15th July 2016. The view is seen from the air.View of 15 July Martyr Bridge from the air
Show All
Ex-FETO members, speaking to German media in recent weeks, stressed that the group has a dual structure, and despite its “democratic” and “moderate” image in public, it has a secretive and strict hierarchy controlled by its ideological leaders.