Fetullah Gulen supporter, Turkish national seeking asylum arrested in Greece for arson
Greek police have arrested a 33-year-old Turkish national and supporter of the FETO leader Fetullah Gulen on Sunday for setting fires on Mount Aigaleo in Aspropyrgos.
The asylum-seeking suspect was apprehended about 0,6 miles from the fire’s origin by officers from the DIAS Motorcycle Police Unit.
Authorities identified the suspect as responsible for 2 recent fires on Mount Aigaleo and are investigating his involvement in other local fires. Police found 2 lighters and a sponge on him, suggesting his intention to start another fire.
The police had previously detained the suspect near the Israeli embassy under suspicious circumstances. He claimed to have lost his way to the asylum office and made various conflicting statements about his affiliations.
Why did the Turkish national seek asylum in Greece?
The man entered Greece via the Evros region in Northern Greece in early April and applied for asylum at the Fylakio Reception and Identification Center on April 4.
The suspect had stated he was a supporter of the Gulen movement, a Kurdish PKK fighter, and a member of Türkiye’s LGBTQ+ community. These conflicting statements seemed to be attempts to strengthen his asylum claim.
He declared Athens as his place of residence and scheduled his asylum interview for June 18. He claimed to be an academic with a history of working in Finland and touring various European countries.
Following his arrest, the man confessed to setting the fires. Prosecutors charged him with multiple felonies, including arson and forest fire arson, both posing a danger to human life. He also faces misdemeanor charges for theft and disturbing the peace, stemming from a separate incident in which he allegedly broke into a local resident’s home.
Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vasilis Kikilias commented on the arrest, stating, “We have said many times: We will be relentless with arsonists.” Kikilias emphasized the government’s commitment to harsh penalties for such offenses.
Firefighting efforts on Sunday were robust. The operation involved 43 firefighters, 2 walking teams, 9 vehicles, and a helicopter. They quickly contained the fire within 20 minutes, preventing any threat to nearby residential areas.
The 33-year-old arsonist awaits his court appearance scheduled for Wednesday. His case has raised concerns about the processes surrounding asylum seekers in Greece and the measures needed to prevent such incidents in the future.
Authorities noted the suspect’s mental instability and prior run-ins with the law. A resident had previously filed a complaint against him for breaking into his home.
Who is FETO
Türkiye has been the target of various terrorist organizations due to its strategic location at the crossroads of continents, religions, and cultures. Unlike other terrorist groups that operate openly, Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) has clandestinely conducted its activities since the 1960s, masquerading behind a facade of legality while pursuing its illegal agenda.
FETO aims to establish a new political, economic, and social order, which deviates significantly from Islamic principles, by exploiting religion for its own ends. Engaging in a range of criminal activities including oppression, blackmail, threats, assassinations, conspiracies, espionage, and money laundering, FETO has demonstrated a blatant disregard for Türkiye’s sovereignty, democracy, and the core values of the Republic.
The treacherous coup attempt on July 15 2016 was a direct assault on Türkiye’s national sovereignty, democratic institutions, and the foundational principles of the Republic. FETO’s involvement in this heinous act further underscores the grave threat it poses to Türkiye’s stability and security.
As of July 1, 2023, FETO schools have been closed in a total of 48 countries, either taken over and operated directly by the relevant countries or transferred to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation. Currently, educational activities are being carried out by the Türkiye Maarif Foundation in 447 educational institutions in 51 countries.
In many countries, FETO-affiliated structures have been banned, and their members have been deported. Some international organizations, including the OIC, have adopted decisions recognizing FETO as a terrorist organization. The Pakistan Supreme Court ruled that the activities of FETO-affiliated groups declared as terrorist organizations would violate the Pakistani Constitution, and thus, it banned all activities of the terrorist organization in the country.
