Locals in Pennsylvania's Saylorsburg village voice concern over FETÖ leader Gülen's hideout in US
Pennsylvania locals living near the complex of U.S.-based leader of FETÖ, the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, have spoken of their unease at the terror group’s obscure activities and secluded living in America.
Fetullah Gulen, leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and a fugitive from Turkish justice, has lived in the U.S. for decades.
Since 1999, Gulen resides in a secluded mansion complex named the “Golden Generation camp” at Pennslyvania’s Saylorsburg village.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, David Bonser, a 72-year-old owner of the local Kostonbador farm, said local authorities are applying “double-standards”, and added that: “Without a permit, they do whatever they want.”
Bonser also said he attempted to take a look at the complex and said he noticed that armed men were protecting the property. “There is something going on in there but I don’t know it,” he added.
About Gulen’s terror links and his attempt to overthrow the legitimate government in Turkey, Bonser said: “I’m very concerned about having a possible neighbor which is quarter a mile away and possibly be a world terrorist leader. I can’t prove it but it’s been in the news all the time.”
John Favere, a resident of nearby Wind Gap, also expressed concerns over FETO and its defeated coup of 2016. “My concern is what happened in Turkey, when the coup took place. What is his objective in this country?
"How long will it take or if it ever takes place, will he do the same thing to the United States as he did to his country Turkey.
“FETO is taking control over the town through properties on a very frequent basis. And here’s the main point: What is he [referring to Gulen] doing to America and its politicians, how does he pay them? Where is this money coming from to control our government?”
An Istanbul court on Friday sentenced four former columnists from shuttered daily Zaman linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) -- the group behind the 2016 defeated coup, a judicial official said.The 13th Heavy Penal Court in Istanbul gave jail terms of eight years and nine months each to Ali Bulac and Sahin Alpay for being a member of an armed terrorist group, said the official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.The other two columnists, Mumtazer Turkone and Mustafa Unal, were given 10 years and six months in jail for the same charge.Turkey issues arrest warrants for 346 FETÖ suspectsThe court also ruled the release of Ahmet Turan Alkan, who had been in jail pending trial.FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016 in Turkey 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.
Four FETÖ members jailed in defunct daily case
Turkey and the U.S. agree that other Syrian regions will be rid of PKK/YPG terrorists after the northern city of Manbij is cleared, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoglu said on Friday.Speaking at Anadolu Agency’s Editors' Desk, Cavusoglu said: “There is a clear statement on our roadmap [with U.S.] that we will move on to other areas after Manbij [has been cleared of PKK/YPG terrorists].“These were discussed and evaluated in our working group meetings and we reached a consensus on this subject.”The roadmap was announced last month after a meeting in Washington between Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from Manbij and bringing stability to the region.About the Turkish army patrols in Manbij, Cavusoglu said the withdrawal of YPG/PKK from patrol areas in Manbij did not mean it had completely withdrawn from the area. On Wednesday, the Turkish military completed its ninth round of patrols in Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.On its Twitter account, the Turkish General Staff said both countries' forces conducted separate coordinated patrols in the area between Manbij and the area previously cleared during Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield. The first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Referring to the recent counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq, Cavusoglu said: “Our cooperation will further strengthen after a government is established in Iraq and we will do what is necessary for PKK terror group to be cleared from Iraqi territories.”Turkish army conducts 10th round of patrols in ManbijOnce Manbij is cleared of PKK/YPG, eastern Euphrates to follow: Turkish FMFight against FETOEarly June, Turkish Armed Forces launched fresh counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountain region, a known PKK stronghold.About the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Cavusoglu said: “We will see how seriously they [U.S.] will take it after everything is put on the table. The U.S. should not lose its ally like Turkey.”Urging the U.S. to give up its “wrong policies” against Ankara, he urged the Washington administration to fulfill Turkey’s demands against FETO. According to the Turkish government, FETO 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 FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.About how bilateral ties might get affected if the U.S. imposes sanctions on Turkey due to its S-400 purchase, the foreign minister said: "The U.S. administration will make the decision. The administration does not want to harm relations with Turkey."Especially, [Donald] Trump himself does not want to harm relations with Turkey. He, in real terms, respects our Mr. President.”Under an accelerated timetable for the S-400 deal, Russia's first deliveries of the advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Turkey are due in late 2019 or early 2020.About Turkish-Israeli relations, Cavusoglu said Israel was maintaining an aggressive attitude towards Turkey.Relations with Israel“Israeli should cease its wrong policies and merciless cruelty, which is incompatible with humanity, in order to normalize our relations with Israel in real terms,” he said.On Turkish national Ebru Ozkan’s arrest in Tel Aviv, Cavusoglu said: “They [Israel] have been taking steps to deter our citizens from visiting Jerusalem. We will respond to this.” An Israeli military court on Tuesday extended the detention of Ozkan, who had been under arrest since June 11 for alleged links with terrorist groups, the lawyer said.On U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, Cavusoglu said: “We don’t find the U.S. decisions on sanctions on Iran right.”In May, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5 1 group of nations (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany). The deal placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.He said Iran should not be forced into a corner since it would be "dangerous and risky”.Cavusoglu added the U.S. decision against Iran had been taken upon Israeli demand and had no justification.Also, on Austria’s taking over of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from Bulgaria on July 1, the foreign minister said: “We also do not expect Austria to take a radical decision.”Austria assumed the presidency for the third time after its terms in 1998 and 2006.
Turkey, US agree on clearing Syrian regions of PKK
Turkish prosecutors on Friday issued arrest warrants against 346 people suspected of being linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey.The Chief Public Prosecutor’s office in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 271 soldiers, including 122 on-duty, as part of a probe on FETÖ, a source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media. Turkish police launched anti-terror operations in 47 provinces across Turkey, the source added. Meanwhile, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s office in Izmir, in western Turkey, issued arrest warrants for 75 soldiers, including 59 on-duty, another source said. A total of 37 suspects have already been arrested in Izmir, the sources added. FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016 in Turkey 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.FETÖ terror ringleader sends instructions to group membersAt least 16 FETÖ suspects arrested across Turkey
Turkey issues arrest warrants for 346 FETÖ suspects
Favere said other residents in the town are also concerned about Gulen and his group FETÖ.
In July 2016, FETÖ and Gulen orchestrated a defeated coup in Turkey which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Since the coup bid, Turkey has sought Gulen's extradition from the U.S., and complained that the U.S. is not moving fast enough on its request.
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.
FETÖ also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group, including in the U.S.