Gülenist marriages arranged through catalogues
According to the Army Aviation Command prosecutor's indictment, the structuring of the movement of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen within the Turkish military was done through "cells, each led by an 'abi' [older brother]." Target students were selected while they were in junior high. They were prepared for military schools and their performances, graduation, and later careers were closely monitored. This was already well-known, but the Army Aviation Command indictment reiterated it.
The role of the "abis" is analyzed in detail in the indictment. Accordingly, male officers were encouraged to marry women who were also members of the movement. The organization's policy was to put pressure on other individuals, and the "abis" closely monitored the private lives of officers.
The indictment states that even marriages were arranged by the Gülen movement. If a member decided to get married, he would tell the "imam" (more senior member) responsible for him. Future wives were picked from a catalogue with pictures of available female members of the movement. The dependency of the members to the network was therefore increased. If a member ever wished to quit the organization, his wife and children were instructed to distance themselves from him.
One of the Super Cobra helicopter pilots who actively flew a helicopter during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt and who is now a confessor, has said members were indoctrinated into marrying within the organization.
Another example comes from the statement - not included in this indictment - that "Major O.K." gave to Ankara Chief Prosecutor Harun Kodalak on Aug. 11, 2016. Major O.K. is the person who tipped the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) off about coup preparations on the...
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