In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News Channel, Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen said he was confident that the United States will not extradite him, even as Turkey formally submitted its request earlier in the week.
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ISTANBUL (AP) Turkey’s prime minister says his government wants the United States to speed up procedures for the extradition of USA -based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accuses of orchestrating last month’s violent coup attempt.
Authorities in Turkey have arrested or suspended tens of thousands of police, troops, officials, judges and civil servants due to their alleged links to Gulen’s movement.
Gulen, a cleric in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has been blamed for the failed coup attempt against his rival and the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday Ankara would put its domestic and external intelligence operations under an umbrella structure to allow better coordination and help prevent another coup attempt.
During his visit to Turkey, Biden will also emphasize the widespread support for upholding North Atlantic Treaty Organisation amid global concerns about what a Trump presidency could mean for the organization, a senior White House official told CNN.
“Sooner or later, the USA will make a choice”.
Mr Gulen has denied involvement in the coup while criticising Mr Erdogan for what he calls authoritarian tendencies.
Senior White House officials told CNN they were working in “lock-step” with counterparts in Turkey to ensure all evidence is received in the Gulen case.
USA officials, beginning with President Obama, have said that they have no control over the extradition process.
“U.S officials, including representatives of the Departments of Justice and State, have offered to consult with the Turkish government”, the Justice Department official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Officials have said that even if the Justice Department decides extradition is warranted, a court case and possible appeals could take years.
Erdogan described the visit as “very significant”, adding ‘”your support to Turkey in the aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt is exemplary”, the statement said.
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Sending the Justice Department team may be meant to assure Erdogan that the U.S.is taking the extradition request seriously.
