DENIZLI, Turkey

At least eight people were arrested in western Turkey for their alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup, a security source said on Monday.

The arrests were made in Denizli province after the chief public prosecutor's office issued warrants for the suspects, including a lieutenant and three former cadets, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

One suspect was remanded in custody while the others were released on judicial control, the source added.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary./aa