Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has uncovered a network linked to the FETO terrorist organization within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
According to the information, a large-scale operation conducted within the institution resulted in the exposure of a group of FETO members who had been admitted to the ministry years ago based on falsified exam results.
Modern.az reports that, according to Turkish journalist Nedim Şener, the operation was carried out between July and October 2025 with the joint coordination of MİT and the MFA. As a result of the operation, several high-ranking officials were detained.
According to Turkish media reports, the investigation covered 58 individuals, 21 of whom were still working at the MFA at the time of the operation. Among those arrested are Arif Hakan Yetər, former Consul General in Münster, Germany; Burak Karartı, former Deputy Director General of the MFA; and Gürçay Şeker, who served as Turkey's Chargé d'Affaires in Tel Aviv.
MİT's operation was conducted in four phases:
July 8, 2025 – Arrest warrants were issued for 25 individuals, 7 of whom were active MFA employees.
July 16 – 8 more individuals were detained, 2 of whom worked at the ministry.
September 19 – 16 individuals were arrested, 6 of whom were active employees.
September 26 – In the fourth phase of the operation, 15 more individuals were apprehended.
A total of 58 individuals were detained, 31 of whom agreed to cooperate with the investigation. As a result of their testimonies, the identities of 535 more individuals linked to FETÖ were established. It is reported that 70 of these individuals work in state bodies, and a separate investigation has been launched regarding them.
According to the investigation, the organizer of the secret network within the MFA was Ömer Ərfidan, known as the “FETÖ Imam of Germany.” He previously worked at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as the organization's “MFA Imam.” A criminal case has been opened against Ərfidan, who later fled to Germany, and an international search warrant has been issued for him.
