Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun told about the July 15 coup attempt and FETO in an interview with El Mundo, one of Spain's most prominent newspapers.
Director of Communications Altun also commented on the Turkish people's victory of democracy on July 15, Türkiye's fight against FETO and other terrorist organisations, Europe's attitude toward FETO, and Türkiye-EU relations during the interview.
July 15 was a horrific night for a lot of people, including myself. There were airstrikes, death squads, and even tanks crushing vehicles of families in the streets. However, from the very first hours of these images, the claim that "the coup was staged purposefully" was put forward and repeated throughout Europe. What are your thoughts on this?
In recent years, Europe has developed an obsession with our President as a result of Islamophobia and xenophobia. Every aspect of Türkiye is interpreted with a focus on Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Positions are taken accordingly. I regret to say that a natural consequence of this obsession is that every kind of disinformation about Türkiye finds a market. Unfortunately, allegations spread quickly; when an allegation is proven to be untrue, no one checks back to determine where the allegation originated and who assisted in spreading this disinformation. There is no distinction between the allegations made regarding July 15 and absurd propositions such as "The United States' deep state was responsible for 9/11" or "The Spanish state established ETA."
Hundreds of trials involving coup-related crimes were held. Evidence of crimes committed, eyewitness testimonies, photographs, and video records are all available. Additionally, the information provided by individuals who expressed remorse following the coup's failure is available. Conspiracy ideas aside, it is evident that July 15 was organised and carried out by the FETO's ringleader Fetullah Gülen and his accomplices. It is a well-known fact that some attempt to conceal this fact abroad. We will continue to stand up for the truth in the face of these circles.
When you consider the coup attempt and its consequences for Türkiye, have you noticed a lack of "sympathy" on the part of the EU during the last five years?
The European Union was unable to comprehend adequately the Turkish people's perspective on July 15, the supra-partisan agreement on FETO, and the trauma experienced. The GNAT, the symbol of our democracy, was bombed that night. Many people were martyred in the streets for resisting the coup. There was an assassination attempt on our President. Of course, it is noteworthy that a structure claiming to safeguard democracy and human rights is unable to respond to events in Türkiye, a candidate country.
Unfortunately, the EU's indifference to the attack on Turkish democracy has been ongoing for five years. Providing shelter to coup plotters who fled to Greece via military helicopter following the coup attempt's failure summarises the process. Likewise, it is concerning that the organisation's top executives who were directly involved in the coup continue to operate freely in Europe.
The fact that no efforts are taken to bring these people to justice or put an end to their activities strengthens the Turkish public's belief that the EU sympathises or cooperates with coup plotters. Without a doubt, this situation undermines the EU's claim to democracy and human rights. We expect Europe to recognise the significance of what happened on July 15 and distance itself from those responsible for the attack on Turkish democracy.
Overnight, the world was introduced to FETO, a terrorist organisation accused of plotting a coup. This organisation was, of course, well-known throughout Türkiye. Nevertheless, they were tolerated by the authorities for a long time and infiltrated the state's institutions. How did this occur?
The origins of the organisation date back to the Cold War era. First of all, they infiltrated strategically important institutions such as the army, police, and judiciary. Then they began to infiltrate all public institutions. They financed their activities through the establishment of companies and by deducting "cuts" from the salaries of their members placed in civil service. They recruited children and radicalised them through the educational institutions they established. While continuing to engage in all these activities, they promoted themselves to the public as education volunteers and a moderate religious group.
We can tell that this is a two-dimensional process. First, there were those who were known to be FETO members. Several of them were assigned to various companies or associations affiliated with the organisation. The second group included those who concealed their true identities and pretended to live in a "secular" manner to conceal their connection with the organisation. For instance, we know that on July 15, there was a group of civilians at Akıncı Base, which might be considered the epicentre of the attempted coup. These individuals had no formal ties to the Armed Forces. They did, however, conduct the coup attempt.
July 15 should be seen as the final move of the FETO members who understood that they were exposed. The organisation's members have been exposed thanks to President Erdoğan's determination.
Gülen, the FETO's ringleader, is known to be in the United States. In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Türkiye endeavoured to secure Gülen's extradition. Do you keep making efforts to this end? What is the cause of this attempt's failure so far?
Gülen, the FETO's ringleader and the mastermind of the coup attempt, has been residing at a lavish farm in the United States since the late 1990s. The farm is home to the organisation's top executives. From that farm, they conduct their operations all over the world.
In fact, there is an agreement between Türkiye and the United States on the extradition of criminals. Even the mere accusation of an individual necessitates detention under this agreement. Following July 15, we provided the appropriate information and documentation to US authorities. There have been statements from top-level US officials confirming Gülen's involvement in the coup attempt. Furthermore, FETO members violated several US laws. Despite this, Gülen's extradition has been prevented due to technicalities.
Not bringing someone who attempted the coup and slaughtered innocent people to justice strengthens in the minds of Turkish people the following perceptions: "the US knew about the coup attempt beforehand" or "the US backed the coup plotters." We expect the US to comply with bilateral agreements and return Gülen, the terrorist organisation's ringleader.
Following the attempted coup, the Turkish government launched a comprehensive campaign to expel FETO members, who were known to infiltrate the state. However, it was claimed that many ordinary people with no ties to FETO were expelled based on "suspicious" charges and often with no judicial process. Is there any plan to reinstate those individuals in Türkiye?
What you have said is not entirely accurate. Following the coup attempt, FETO members were dismissed from the government with the authority granted by Parliament. As a result, those who infiltrated governmental institutions on behalf of the organisation were expelled.
On the other hand, it's worth noting that Türkiye's struggle against terrorism is not limited to the FETO terrorist organisation. For instance, the PKK, which is on the EU and US terrorist organisation lists, has been targeting Turkish citizens since the 1980s. It was involved in crimes such as shooting civilians to death, including babies and carrying out suicide attacks. As a result, certain individuals linked with the PKK or smaller terrorist organisations were dismissed from the government under the authority granted by Parliament.
We have already taken the proper actions for individuals who believe they have been subjected to unfair treatment. In order to investigate the objections, a commission comprised of top-level officials was formed. One by one, applications were investigated. Some applicants were reinstated. All decisions made during that period were based on concrete evidence.
Which political aspects of your country, in your opinion, are not fully understood by Türkiye's European allies? Most notably in terms of national interests, terrorism, economy, and national security.
First, they sometimes lose sight of the fact that Turkish people live in a challenging geographical environment. The instability in our neighbouring countries, Iraq and Syria, has produced economic issues and security threats for Türkiye over the last 20 years. Unfortunately, we have lost a great number of our individuals in terrorist attacks. We have opened our doors to almost four million refugees and become the world's largest safe haven.
While all of this has been going on, we have been fighting against tutelage forces under the leadership of President Erdoğan. We have proved that the era of coups is over in Türkiye and made everyone recognise that power can only be given and taken away by the nation.
It can be easy to criticise Türkiye on a fictitious level by isolating it from regional realities and the past. Such practices, however, are of no use to anyone.
Indeed, our European allies' actions demonstrate how critical Türkiye is as an actor. We were the first country to send combat forces to Syria to fight against the terrorist organisation DAESH. We ensured the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees to their homeland by providing services such as education and healthcare in the safe zones we built in the theatre of war. We are present in many regions of the world; we assist our friends and allies in defending themselves. In this regard, Türkiye is an indispensable partner for Europe.
For years, Brussels has been criticising Türkiye's political climate, particularly anti-terrorism laws. Türkiye's EU membership process has almost come to an end. Do you still want Türkiye to join the EU? What steps do you think Türkiye and the EU should take to improve bilateral relations?
I do not believe that the European Union's side of the story regarding Türkiye is entirely accurate. First and foremost, we must recall the extremely fair measures implemented during the terrorist attacks in Europe. Without underestimating the attacks in Europe during this period, it is critical to consider the threats faced by Türkiye. In the same period, we faced not only DAESH but also PKK attacks.
In fact, I believe that Spain is the European country that best understands Turks. Spain has a long and painful history with ethno-separatist terrorism. Similarly, it is a country that, in my opinion, understands us well on irregular migration today.
We expect them to be sincere in their criticism of Türkiye's counter-terrorism steps. Sincerity is required for Türkiye-EU relations to progress to the desired level.
Hundreds of Afghans are fleeing their country due to the country's harsh conditions. A significant part of them makes their way to Türkiye and even Greece. Are you concerned that this would have an impact on the implementation of the 2016 refugee deal?
Irregular migration from Afghanistan has been going on for many years. We understand that recent developments have resulted in an increase in "driving" factors. However, we are not concerned about the 2016 refugee deal as we have repeatedly demonstrated that the EU has already violated this deal. Türkiye has fulfilled its responsibilities; nonetheless, Brussels has failed to meet its promises. Promises such as visa liberalisation and financial support for refugees were broken. Furthermore, regular migration channels for asylum seekers wishing to travel to Europe have yet to be established. Finally, refugees attempting to enter Europe were subjected to "pushback" attempts that systematically violate their rights. If there is anything to be concerned about, it is Europe's inability to develop a strategy and vision for such issues and its contentment with palliative solutions.
Spain was one of the countries that played a key role in resolving tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean through dialogue. The Spanish government, as you are aware, has appointed a new foreign minister. What are your expectations from him at this stage in the Greece-Türkiye negotiations?
In every respect, we regard Spain as a valuable ally. The Spanish appreciate some of Türkiye's challenges better than other European countries. At the same time, our close cooperation within the framework of NATO continues.
Our bilateral talks with Greece remain active. We expect that disputes will be resolved in accordance with international law. Based on this, we aim for the Mediterranean to be a peaceful basin. We cannot, however, achieve lasting peace with maximalist demands.
When we look at Europe's history, we see that energy resources may be used to fuel both wars and lasting peace. After all, both world wars and the European Union emerged because of energy. In this regard, we hope that the prosperity of our region will benefit our collective welfare.
Of course, we care about encouraging our allies, particularly Spain. I am confident that this support will continue in the upcoming period.