Turkey coup 'mastermind' Gulen's FTO poses threat to India's internal security, warns Turkish Consul General

Representational image - File photo

Delhi: Turkish Consul General Erdal Sabri Ergen has said that the outfit, which attempted to overthrow President Tayyip Erdogan's government, has deep roots in Mumbai and some other parts of India.

He also said that the organisation poses threat to country's internal security.

"In the aftermath of coup attempt in Turkey, we have found some connection in India, Mumbai of the perpetrators," Ergen said.

"Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETO) has network worldwide including India," he added, as per ANI.

FETO is led by US-based cleric Fettullah Gulen.

On the other hand, Pune Mirror, in its report few days back, had said that in a letter addressed to the Union Home Ministry, Ergen had warned that FETO controls a number of educational, cultural, and business organisations in Mumbai and other metros of the country.

The report had also said that he had urged both the Union and the state government to take action against the FETO-controlled organisations.

On July 15 this year, a coup was attempted in Turkey and was carried out by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that had organised themselves under a council called the Peace at Home Council.

They had attempted to seize control of several key places in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere.

However, they failed to do so after forces loyal to the Turkish government defeated them.

The government has accused the coup leaders of being linked to the Gulen movement - which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Turkish government. 

On the other hand, Gulen has said that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan staged the event as a false flag operation in an attempt to legitimise further curbs to civil liberties and purges to the judiciary and military.

Meanwhile, during the coup, over 300 people were killed and more than 2,000  injured.

Later, mass arrests followed, with at least 6,000 were detained, including more than  2,800 soldiers.