Germany admits its intelligence contacts with FETO

Politics 14:57 17.07.2018
The German government has confirmed that its intelligence organizations were primarily responsible for contacts with groups affiliated with terrorist FETO, but declined to give any detail about ongoing talks with the group, arguing that it could harm activities of its intelligence organizations.
 
The U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen’s shadowy group FETO is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, for carrying a long secretive campaign to infiltrate state instutitons and orchestrating the foiled coup attempt in 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
 
But in Germany, which is home to more than 3 million Turkish immigrants, the group continues their activities without any hindrance through associations, schools and media organizations.
 
In its reply to a parliamentary question from the opposition Left Party, which was made public on Monday, the German government has said it could not rule out that “the members of Gulen movement were involved in the coup attempt”, but also argued that so far it did not receive sound evidence about FETO suspects living in Germany.
 
Secret dealings
 
Asked “if the German federal government has cooperation with Gulen affiliated persons, instutitons, associations and media organizations”, and “whether it has such plans for future” which would necessitate federal funding, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government declined to give any information to the parliament.
 
“The subject matter of this question involves information which particularly affects the functional capability of the intelligence ogranizations and therefore we cannot provide information that can be available to the public,” the government said in its written reply.
 
It also argued that the public release of any information related to this question involves big risk of revealing the valuable “intelligence contacts” that should be protected.
 
Left Party lawmaker Ulla Jelpke slammed the government for hiding information from the parliament about its cooperation with FETO-affiliated groups.
 
“The government views its cooperation with the associations of Gulen sect so explosive that it is refusing to give an answer arguing that doing so would effect the the functional capability of the intelligence ogranizations,” she told Germany’s international broadcaster DW.
 
“It seems that the government is cooperating with Gulen exclusively through the intelligence services,” she added.
 
FETO network
 
Germany’s tolerance towards the group, and its reluctance to extradite FETO suspects to Turkey, has been a source of tension between the two countries.
 
Since the 1990s, Gulen’s shadowy group managed to build a large network in Germany, and it claims to have around 70,000 followers in the country.
 
Around 14,000 people with suspected ties to FETO have also arrived the country, after the foiled coup attempt in Turkey, according to local reports.
 
FETO members have tried to avoid public criticism in Germany by focusing on "interfaith dialogue" programs and sticking to “moderate” messages.
 
But former FETO members, who spoke to the German media in recent weeks, stressed that the group has a dual structure, and despite its “democratic” and “moderate” image in public, it has a secretive and strict hierarchy controlled by its ideological leaders.
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
13:45 19.03.2024
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
13:30 19.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 20
13:13 19.03.2024
Israel, Hamas ready to compromise at Doha talks
13:05 19.03.2024
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
12:49 19.03.2024
Armenia may face a war if refuses to discuss border issues - Pashinyan
12:22 19.03.2024
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
11:55 19.03.2024
Fenerbahçe to discuss withdrawing from 'Super Lig'
11:32 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
11:08 19.03.2024
US Maritime Administration issues new advisory amid rising maritime threats in Middle East
10:55 19.03.2024
EU looks forward to cooperation with Azerbaijan for successful COP29
10:38 19.03.2024
EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Hamısı