Fethullahist Terror Organization

Fethullah Gülen, who is widely believed to be behind the July 15 coup attempt, will account for his actions, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Feb. 21. 

The new U.S. administration seems to be more indulgent and sensitive over the extradition of Fethullah Gülen, who is believed to be behind the July 15 coup attempt, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Feb. 21, adding that discussions with U.S. officials were continuing.  

A total of 1,604 people were detained during operations targeting terror organizations across the country over the past week, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Feb. 20.

An Istanbul court has ruled for the continuation of the arrest of Doğan Group Ankara Administrative Representative Barbaros Muratoğlu, who was arrested on Dec. 15, 2016 on charges of "helping an armed terrorist organization."

The Istanbul Sixth Criminal Court of Peace has conducted the periodic investigation of Muratoğlu's arrest and ruled for the continuation of it. 

Terror groups are together orchestrating a "No" campaign for the upcoming referendum on constitutional changes in Turkey, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has repeated, following earlier controversial claims linking the "No" campaign to terrorism.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has said he will discuss the extradition of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt, with his U.S. counterpart Jeff Sessions.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has slammed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, saying they used a polarizing and divisive language by accusing naysayers of the upcoming referendum of siding with terrorists. 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım over the phone on Feb. 9 that Turkish-U.S. relations were entering a "new day," as the new director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, was also in Ankara as part of his first overseas trip since taking office. 

The Turkish government has stripped the Supreme Election Board (YSK) of the authority to give penalties to TV and radio stations that air one-sided broadcasts or biased propaganda during election periods, according to a decree issued on Feb. 9 ahead of the referendum which is likely to be carried out on April 16.

The government will not categorize those who plan to vote against the constitutional amendments as terrorists, a senior government official has said, but added that it wants the public to know that two major terror organizations are in "no" camp.