A six-page report published in Der Spiegel, a German newspaper, backed the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and falsely accused the Turkish government of deliberately not preventing the coup.
The article, published by Turkish journalist Eren Çaylan and Turkey correspondent Maximilian Popp on Saturday, did not acknowledge the role of US-based FETÖ ringleader Fetullah Gülen.
Gülen orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup attempt and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
"According to Gülen, the coup attempt was a ploy organized by Erdoğan, to expand his rule. Turkey's western partners have not yet decided which statement is correct. [Turkish President] Erdoğan used this coup attempt as a means of intimidation to daunt those who do not support him," said the report, echoing the words of FETÖ’s ringleader Gülen.
The article was in favor of the violent coup attempt that left 249 people martyred and over 2,100 wounded. Tanks rolled out on to the streets of Istanbul and Ankara on the night of the coup bid, and indiscriminately shot civilians.
The article also claimed that a second coup attempt in Turkey was possible. Germany was found to be a haven for FETÖ, which uses the country as a functioning center.
