Turkey expects US to extradite preacher Fethullah Gulen
Politics |
Turkish justice minister believes the US will respond positively if Turkey decides to extend a request for Gulen's extradition.
Turkey expects the U.S. to extradite U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen if Ankara filed a request, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Wednesday.
Gulen is accused of trying to topple the Turkish government.
"Turkey expects the U.S. to honor bilateral agreements and extradite Gulen," Bozdag told The Anadolu Agency, where he attended the AA Editor's Desk meeting.
"As two allies, the U.S. and Turkey are cooperating in many fields, including mutual legal assistance. I believe they will respond positively if Turkey decides to extend a request for Gulen's extradition," he said.
"Of course, it is at their discretion. However, there are binding legal agreements, and we have the right to expect the U.S. to abide by those agreements just like Turkey does," the minister said.
Pennsylvania-based preacher's so-called Hizmet movement is accused of forming a criminal gang -- popularly referred to as "the parallel state" -- within Turkey's key institutions, including the judiciary and the police, in an attempt to undermine the Turkish government.
The Turkish government accuses Gulen supporters of lobbying unspecified foreign elements to topple the elected government and of being behind online leaks, wiretapping and spying on high-ranking officials.
The Gulen movement denies all charges.
Anadolu Agency
Gulen is accused of trying to topple the Turkish government.
"Turkey expects the U.S. to honor bilateral agreements and extradite Gulen," Bozdag told The Anadolu Agency, where he attended the AA Editor's Desk meeting.
"As two allies, the U.S. and Turkey are cooperating in many fields, including mutual legal assistance. I believe they will respond positively if Turkey decides to extend a request for Gulen's extradition," he said.
"Of course, it is at their discretion. However, there are binding legal agreements, and we have the right to expect the U.S. to abide by those agreements just like Turkey does," the minister said.
Pennsylvania-based preacher's so-called Hizmet movement is accused of forming a criminal gang -- popularly referred to as "the parallel state" -- within Turkey's key institutions, including the judiciary and the police, in an attempt to undermine the Turkish government.
The Turkish government accuses Gulen supporters of lobbying unspecified foreign elements to topple the elected government and of being behind online leaks, wiretapping and spying on high-ranking officials.
The Gulen movement denies all charges.
Anadolu Agency
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