EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator: ‘We Don’t Deem Gülen Network as Terrorist’

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European Union (EU) Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove speaking to Reuters about Turkey accusing Gülen Community of orchestrating the July 15 coup attempt said: "As for FETO, we don't see it as a terrorist organization, and I don't believe the EU is likely to change its position soon".

Addressing the structure that is being referred to as "FETÖ - Fethullahist Terrorist Organization" in Turkey, Gilles de Kerchove added:

"You need not only circumstantial evidence - like just downloading an app - but concrete substantive data which shows that they were involved".

Turkey's Ministry of Justice in its statement on October 22, said:

"As part of operation carried out against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organizaiton (FETÖ), 49 thousand 697 people were arrested, 8 thousand 997 others were subjected to detention order and 738 people were in detention".

Some of the arrestees are being accused of having installed ByLock, an encrypted communication software allegedly used among members of Gülen Community, or speaking with third persons who has installed the software on their phones.

Extradition of asylum-seekers in Germany

Also making some remarks regarding people who are subjected to a detention order in Turkey and applied for asylum in Germany, Gilles de Kerchove said "The decision of an extradition belongs to the countries. Usually, the judiciary, the independent judiciary needs solid evidence". (AS/DG)