Türkiye confirms death of FETÖ leader Gülen: foreign minister

ANKARA

Turkish intelligence sources have confirmed the death of Fetullah Gülen, leader of the FETÖ terror organization accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Friday.

"His death is confirmed by our intelligence sources," Fidan said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Ankara.

"Gülen's death will not make us complacent. Our nation and state will continue to fight against this organization as they fight against all terrorist organizations," he said.

Fidan called on FETÖ members to "give up the wrong path," stating they are "being used as a weapon against their own nations in the hands of intelligence services abroad in a great humiliation."

Reports of Gülen's death first circulated when accounts close to the FETÖ leader posted condolence messages online.

Gülen, who had been living in exile in the United States since 1999, was last seen leaving his Pennsylvania home on Oct. 13. He had reportedly been moved to a large house near the Chestnut Retreat Center in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, known as FETO's headquarters.

The FETÖ and its leader Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which resulted in 251 deaths and 2,734 injuries. In the aftermath, Turkish authorities launched a widespread crackdown on alleged FETÖ members within state institutions, leading to numerous dismissals.