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An official letter obtained by Anadolu Agency has revealed that Germany has officially been supporting operations of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) in Ethiopia.
A letter written and officially sealed by the German Embassy in Addis Ababa in May 2017 vouches for the FETÖ-linked investment group named Kaynak.
The then Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had directed relevant authorities, including trade and education ministries as well as the country's investment commission, to revoke the license of Kaynak due to its ties to the terror group.
Desalegn's office also directed the Education Ministry to transfer six schools owned by the FETÖ to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation.
Investigation into the U.S. Embassy drive-by shooting, which occurred on Aug. 20, in the Turkish capital has been completed on Thursday, according to a judicial source.The indictment prepared by Ankara public prosecutor Murat Ozcan has designated Ahmet Celikten and Osman Gundas -- who allegedly carried out the attack -- and Gundas’ boss Ersin Bayram as well as Talip Bora Kilic -- the owner of the vehicle that was presumably used during the attack -- as suspects.The indictment was sent to the 32nd Heavy Penal Court in Ankara.According to the investigations, the suspects, Gundas and Bayram, allegedly communicated with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) with cell phone.New footage shows putschists martyring civilian in FETÖ coup attemptThe anti-terror branch of Ankara’s Security Directorate said Gundas had apparently shared videos of Fetullah Gulen, the ringleader of the terror group behind the July 15, 2016 defeated coup.Bayram also allegedly downloaded smartphone applications linked to the terrorist organization.According to the Ankara Governor's Office, Celikten and Gundas confessed their involvement in the attack.Footage from city surveillance cameras shows that Celikten and Gundas scouted the area outside the embassy building 20 minutes before the attack.The suspects face up to 55 years in prison.Turkey deals heavy blow to FETÖ’s army structureFETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Probe into US Embassy shooting in Ankara completed
The schools were not transferred to the foundation.
The letter which was signed by diplomat Jutta Luig stresses that Kaynak -- which also manages FETÖ schools in Ethopia -- promotes investments by German companies and businesses in the country and asks Ethiopian officials to provide all necessary convenience to them.
"German citizens have recently purchased a company called Kaynak Educational and Medical Services based in Addis Ababa. We kindly ask all involved authorities to support our investors wherever possible,” the letter reads.
The trial of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is facing terrorism-related chargers in Turkey, will resume on Friday in western Izmir province, according to judicial sources.Brunson was taken from his house -- where he had been under house arrest since July 25 -- under strict security measures and brought to the prison and courthouse complex in Aliaga district for the trial.On July 25, citing Brunson's health problems, an Izmir court ordered him moved from jail to house arrest.Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.Turkey and the U.S. have faced rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions over Brunson's detention.Political tensions between the two countries sparked worries in the markets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure to secure Brunson's release.Video: US charge d'affaires in Turkey visits pastor Brunson
Trial of US pastor Brunson resumes in western Turkey
Terror group strips schools for cash
Recently, former employees of Ethiopian FETÖ-linked schools filed a complaint against school administrators and teachers on allegations including the theft of aid money, embezzlement, and tax evasion.
Last year, shortly after the Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome said the FETÖ-linked schools -- renamed as Intellectual Schools -- would be handed to the Turkish government, the schools were sold to a German citizen, whom they claimed was an investor.
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, including the military, police, and education.
FETÖ also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.