Two detained in FETÖ probe, including daughter of Akıncı base suspect

August 31, 2026 at 08:09 PM2 min

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Istanbul prosecutors ordered the arrest of Esma Batmaz and Hilal Köseoğlu in an investigation into FETÖ's current activities. The two women were detained in raids in Istanbul and Muğla on August 28. Batmaz is the daughter of Kemal Batmaz, who was captured at Akıncı Air Base during the 2016 coup attempt.

Key Facts

Esma Batmaz and Hilal Köseoğlu were arrested by a court order after being referred by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The arrests stem from raids conducted on August 28 at four addresses in Istanbul and Muğla.
Esma Batmaz is the daughter of Kemal Batmaz, who was captured at Akıncı Air Base during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.
Hilal Köseoğlu is the daughter of Bilal Köseoğlu, a former judge/prosecutor dismissed by decree and currently held in Muğla E Type Closed Prison.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Yakup Aykın, abroad since 2016, and Sami Yılmaz, who left Turkey in 2026.

The Operation

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office coordinated the operation with the Istanbul Police Department's counter-terrorism and intelligence branches and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT). Raids were carried out simultaneously at three addresses in Istanbul and one in Muğla on August 28. Esma Batmaz was detained in Istanbul, while Hilal Köseoğlu was detained in Muğla. Numerous digital materials seized during the searches are under examination.

Suspects' Backgrounds

Esma Batmaz is the daughter of Kemal Batmaz, described as the organization's civilian imam at Akıncı Air Base during the 2016 coup attempt. Hilal Köseoğlu is the daughter of Bilal Köseoğlu, a former judge/prosecutor at Ankara Courthouse who was dismissed by decree and is currently in Muğla E Type Closed Prison. The investigation targets FETÖ's current activities and aims to expose the organization's ongoing network.

Arrests and Warrants

After police procedures, Esma Batmaz and Hilal Köseoğlu were brought to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. The prosecutor's office requested their arrest, and the duty magistrate ordered both women jailed. Arrest warrants remain active for Yakup Aykın, who has been abroad since 2016, and Sami Yılmaz, who left Turkey in 2026.