The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into footballers Arda Turan, Emre Belözoğlu, Okan Buruk, and Bülent Korkmaz for their alleged links to FETÖ, the group believed to have been behind a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, daily Vatan reported.
The prominent footballers face charges of “being members of FETÖ” and “although not being a member of the organization, helping them knowingly and willingly,” the daily said.
The authorities are currently looking into whether the allegations are true or not. The prosecutor’s office will take the testimony of the footballers before deciding on how to proceed with the case. The authorities have separate investigation files for each of the footballer.
Meanwhile, Arda Turan stands trial in another case over a brawl that broke out last week at an Istanbul nightclub. An Istanbul court accepted on October 17 the indictment prepared by a prosecutor’s office against Turan, seeking 12.5 years in jail, Hurriyet reported.
