Media: FETO leader reportedly passes away in US

Fethullah Gulen, the leader of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), has reportedly died in Pennsylvania, the US, according to media outlets affiliated with the organization.

Gulen, who had been residing in the US for many years, was allegedly admitted to a hospital before his death, Caliber.Az reports, citing Türkiye Today.

The news of his passing was confirmed by Herkul, a website closely associated with FETO. On their social media platform X (formerly Twitter), they announced, “Today (October 20), Fethullah Gulen has passed away.”

Reports indicate that Gulen had been experiencing severe health issues in recent years, including kidney failure, diabetes, and dementia. He was last seen on October 12, 2024, leaving his residence in a car after being evacuated from his farm in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, where he had lived since 1999.

The Fethullah Terrorist Organization, or FETO, is considered an illegal entity that aims to establish a new political, economic, and social order by exploiting religion. The group, led by Gulen, has been linked to various criminal activities, including blackmail, espionage, and money laundering.

FETO is distinct from other terrorist organizations due to its clandestine operations and longstanding efforts to infiltrate various Turkish institutions, including the judiciary and military. Since the 1960s, the organization has conducted its activities in secrecy, masking its illegal agenda behind a facade of legality.

Türkiye, strategically located at the crossroads of continents, religions, and cultures, has faced numerous threats from various terrorist organizations. Unlike more overt terrorist groups, FETO has maintained a low profile while pursuing its goals, making it a unique and persistent threat to national security.

By Khagan Isayev