Gülen is planning to escape from US: Turkish justice minister
ANKARA
REUTERS photo
Pennsylvania-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, believed to have orchestrated Turkey’s failed July 15 coup attempt, is planning to flee from the U.S. in order to avoid being extradited, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has claimed.“There is intelligence on the issue. In order to avoid being extradited from the U.S., he is seeking a place to escape,” Bozdağ told reporters on Oct. 4, adding that Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) members have been searching for a place for Gülen to move to.
Noting that the U.S. will send a reply regarding Gülen’s extradition “soon,” Bozdağ said Ankara’s arrest demand had reached U.S. officials on Sept. 10.
“They haven’t replied yet. But we are expecting an answer. They have not demanded any new information or documents from us. We presented very clear evidence, information and documents in our temporary arrest demand. There is enough evidence that Gülen was the mastermind of the July 15 coup attempt,” he added.
The Turkish authorities have referred to a deal between Ankara and Washington regarding the extradition of criminals in the request for Gülen’s arrest.
They say Gülen’s extradition request could be adjudicated under a 1979 treaty between the U.S. and Turkey, one of more than 100 the U.S. has signed with other countries, which would require the U.S. to arrest and detain Gülen for up to 60 days to give Turkey time to prepare a formal extradition request and to keep him in custody until a decision is handed down in his extradition case.
Noting that the U.S. will send a reply regarding Gülen’s extradition “soon,” Bozdağ said Ankara’s arrest demand had reached U.S. officials on Sept. 10.
“They haven’t replied yet. But we are expecting an answer. They have not demanded any new information or documents from us. We presented very clear evidence, information and documents in our temporary arrest demand. There is enough evidence that Gülen was the mastermind of the July 15 coup attempt,” he added.
The Turkish authorities have referred to a deal between Ankara and Washington regarding the extradition of criminals in the request for Gülen’s arrest.
They say Gülen’s extradition request could be adjudicated under a 1979 treaty between the U.S. and Turkey, one of more than 100 the U.S. has signed with other countries, which would require the U.S. to arrest and detain Gülen for up to 60 days to give Turkey time to prepare a formal extradition request and to keep him in custody until a decision is handed down in his extradition case.
