Merkel’s open-door migrant policy allowed over one million migrants to come to Germany a year ago and a deal reached by the European Union with Turkey in March has contributed to a significant drop in the number of crossings into Europe.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday asked forgiveness over his past alliance with US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen whom Ankara blames for last month’s attempted coup. “Is the West on the side of democracy or on the side of terror?”
Turkey’s government has said the deadly overthrow attempt that martyred more than 230 people and injured almost 2,200 others was organized by followers of Gülenist Terror Organization, FETÖ, leader Fetullah Gülen.
A German court had ruled Erdogan and other top Turkish officials were banned from appearing at the rally via satellite video, angering the pro-Erdogan crowd. He said that Turkey had previously also handed Germany a list of over 4,000 wanted militants without having any response.
Since the failed coup attempt Erdogan has imposed a state of emergency and launched a sweeping crackdown on those believed to be against him.
US officials will not directly comment on the requests from Turkey, stating only that documentation has been received and is being analyzed, but no judgment has apparently been made on whether there has been a formal extradition request, as Ankara insists it has submitted. “They are very successful in lying and our national security strategy document now officially refers to this terrorist organization as a terrorist organization”, according to Erdogan.
Erdogan said Gulen’s major source of income was in the United States, adding that US$200 -300 million (S$267 million – S$401 million) alone comes from charter schools run by foundations linked to him. The minister said the second letter explained why there was an urgent need for the arrest. Almost 70,000 people have been suspended from their jobs on suspicion of being involved in the movement, which runs schools, charities and businesses internationally.
“They requested certain information following our first letter; we provided answers to the question “why is it urgent”, Anadolu quoted Bozdag as telling reporters in parliament.
At a small protest held near the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, demonstrators held up placards reading “Dunford go home, send us Fethullhah”, and “Get out coup plotter Dunford”.
“The cleaning up of members of the Fethullah Gulen terrorist network from the state, armed forces and police will bring dynamism and the government will speed up reforms”, Elvan said.
More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation since the coup, prompting fears that Erdogan is cracking down on all dissent. The ruling party’s policies have often been seen as polarizing.
Almost 1,400 more members of the armed forces were dismissed, and the top military council was stacked with government ministers on Sunday, moves designed by Erdogan to tighten civilian control over the military.
A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed detention warrants had been issued for 98 staff. “There would have been no trace of free press, freedom of expression”.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is clearly losing patience with the American system of justice.
