Turkish justice minister to discuss Gülen extradition with US counterpart 

ANKARA

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has said he will discuss the extradition of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt, with his U.S. counterpart Jeff Sessions.

“We will once again have the opportunity to explain Turkey’s expectations on this issue and what the extradition of FETÖ [Fethullahist Terror Organization] and other FETÖ members mean for Turkey from the first person by talking with the new U.S. secretary of justice on the phone or face to face as soon as possible,” Bozdağ told reporters on Feb. 14 ahead of a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting.

Bozdağ also said Ankara “does not need to provide additional evidence” to Washington on Gülen’s involvement in the attempted takeover, while adding that new developments could emerge on the issue.

“We have also sent some new evidence after [Donald] Trump assumed office [as president]. Basically, we do not need new evidence in the file because there is more than enough evidence that would require the terrorist Gülen’s temporary arrest and extradition to Turkey  according to the agreement between us,” Bozdağ said.

At Washington’s request, Turkey presented evidence to the U.S. demanding Gülen’s extradition. A U.S. delegation visited Turkey at the end of August 2016 and reviewed those documents while Bozdağ also went to the U.S. to discuss the issue in October 2016.