World

Erdogan calls on US to extradite preacher Gulen in Istanbul speech

Turkish president says he had repeatedly told US President Barack Obama that Gulen threatened Turkey's security

Afp July 16, 2016

This handout picture released by Turkish Prime Minister Press Office, on February 18, 2016, shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) delivering a speech as Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, as Hulusi Akar (R) stands next to him during his condolence visit at the General Staff headquarters in Ankara. PHOTO: AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday urged the United States to extradite the preacher Fethullah Gulen, who he accuses of masterminding the failed coup, to face trial in Turkey.

"The United States -- you must extradite that person," he told thousands of supporters in Istanbul, referring to Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and has denied any involvement in Friday's attempted coup.

Erdogan said he had repeatedly told US President Barack Obama that Gulen threatened Turkey's security and should be extradited.

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"I am calling on America here, I am calling on Mr President (Obama)," he told the crowd.

"Mr President, I told you myself, either deport or hand over to us this person who lives in 400 acres of land in Pennsylvania," he said, carefully not referring to Gulen by name.

"I told you that he was engaged in coup plots but I was not listened to. Now again today after the coup I say it again. Deliver this man who lives in Pennsylvania to Turkey," said Erdogan.

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Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that the United States will assist Turkey in the investigation of the failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Gulen.

"We fully anticipate that there will be questions raised about Mr Gulen," he said in Luxembourg.

COMMENTS (5)

Bunny Rabbit | 8 years ago | Reply theres no coup in democracy. we can elect a new party . so obviously its not democracy in the strict sense.

Bunny Rabbit | 8 years ago | Reply Better a known devil. Uncle Sam ( in his enthu to help ) look what hes done in Syria / Iraq/ Afghanistan/ Libya / Egypt . Hope Turkey does not go this way.

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Capt (R) M.Ajmal Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Erodogan govt is elected demoratic govt.Will of the must be respected.Any person working ,defying,instigating the forces to topple the elected govt ,commits high treason and must be tried.But America has double standards.He supports femocracy where it suits its interests,otherwise,there are no morals ,ethics or principals.I dont believe America exterdite Gulan rather America will try to install him at an appropriate time to serve its interests.y

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Erdogan has used Gulan as a distraction/boogeyman for several years - often when Erdogan's corruption/behavior has become the focus on news media. Few believe that Gulan has ever had much sway with the military and Erdogan's history of jailing anyone who disagrees with him won't go over well with the American's -- it's unlikely the USA will hand over Gulan without ample evidence to support Erdogan's claim.

Descendant of Ibrahim | 8 years ago | Reply US: "Or else what?" Eurdogan: "We will say it again."

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