Turkish Authorities Have Detained Two Women Linked to the Fethullah Terrorist Organization During Raids in Istanbul

In an operation conducted across two Turkish provinces, the daughter of a senior FETÖ figure was detained in Istanbul, while another suspect's daughter was taken into custody in Muğla. Esma Batmaz, daughter of Kemal Batmaz — one of the plotters of the 2016 coup attempt — was detained during searches in Istanbul. Hilal Köseoğlu, daughter of Bilal Köseoğlu, a former judge/prosecutor at Ankara Courthouse who was dismissed by decree and is currently held at Muğla E Type Closed Penitentiary Institution, was detained during searches in Muğla.

The operation was carried out as part of an investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the current activities of the FETÖ armed terrorist organization. Search and seizure procedures were conducted during the operation. Examinations of numerous digital materials seized in the searches are ongoing.

Efforts to capture Yakup Aykın, who has been abroad since 2016, and Sami Yılmaz, who has an exit record from Turkey in 2026, are continuing. Kemal Batmaz was previously captured at Akıncı Air Base following the coup attempt.