Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said that 95 percent of military academies in Turkey have links with the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) which organized the military coup attempt in Turkey on July 15.
Speaking to a media representative at Çankaya Mansion in capital Ankara, the prime minister said Turkey will not compromise with the U.S. regarding the extradition of FETÖ leader Fethullah Gülen, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania for more than 15 years.
Gülen was the mastermind behind the coup attempt which was orchestrated by his followers who had infiltrated key positions in the Turkish state including the military, in an attempt to seize control of the country.
Gülen and his controversial followers have long been accused of attempting to overthrow the democratically elected government of Turkey, staging civil coup attempts on Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 in 2013 under the guise of so-called graft probes.
Yıldırım said that the scope of the investigation into the activities of FETÖ will be “a continuation of the relations we have had with the organization since the Dec. 17and Dec. 25 incident” and added that the Turkish media has made a counter-coup against the plotters, becoming the voice of the nation's will and for democracy.
Yıldırım criticized Western media outlets, pointing out that such media outlets intend to uncover the causes for the coup's failure rather than condemning the bloody incident.
“They wanted to label this coup attempt as they did the coup attempt in Egypt but they failed,” the prime minister said, adding, “this is not Egypt, this is Turkey.”
Yıldırım vowed that the political and social unity displayed in the wake of the failed attempt, this level of unity will be protected because it is as precious as “our eyesight.” The prime minister said, “The political parties, including the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have taken a clear stance [against the coup attempt]. During the Yenikapı [Democracy and Martyrs Rally on Aug. 7], we promised millions of people that [our nation's unity is as precious as our eyesight] and we are obliged to protect it.”
Adding that the FETÖ investigation will continue rigorously, he said, “The fact that we are dealing with a secret organization will be a challenging point for us.”
Yıldırım pointed out that while some FETÖ elements, known as the “crypto,” could be anywhere, the government vows to remove them from their positions with a high level of rigour.
The government has established a set of criteria in the search to pinpoint exactly who the FETÖ members in state institutions really are, as it has now been made clear that the cult's infiltration efforts have been ongoing since 1973.
“We cannot pinpoint the exact numbers going all the way back to 1973. However, the Dec. 17-25 incident was a key turning point in our coup investigation,” he said and stated that “Those who show economic, social, political or financial support for the organization will be found and brought to trial.”.
The government has learned that 81,459 people were suspended at the instruction of the government, a number that includes more than 3,000 military personnel.
FETÖ members who infiltrate the Turkish military have roots in Turkish military schools, according to the prime minister.
“Ninety-five percent of students enrolled at military academies are affiliated with this cult, including 60 to 80 percent of officers with ranks as high as colonel, who have been linked with FETÖ,” he noted.
Prime minister Yıldırım also announced that all military academies will be shutdown and current students will be sent to normal universities based on their entrance examination results.
He expressed that the West has gradually shifted its stance toward the incident.
“Turkey is seeing some positive signs from the West. Perhaps America has changed its stance,” Yıldırım indicated.
“A technical and legal delegation will come to Turkey on Aug. 22 from the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is also coming on Aug. 24. We will discuss the issue of [Gülen's] extradition,” the prime minister said.
"There is no compromise apart from this chief terrorist [Gülen] coming to Turkey and being prosecuted," he added.
He added that anti-American sentiment is on the rise among Turks in the wake of the coup which is being blamed on some U.S. generals and the CIA.
"The only way to prevent the increasingly [negative] sentiment against America is for the U.S. to hand over this man and make sure that he is held accountable in the Turkish justice system,” he clarified.
