Turkish justice minister to visit US to discuss Gülen’s arrest
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
AA photo
Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ is scheduled to visit the United States in order to discuss the issue of extradition and arrest of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is believed to have orchestrated the failed July 15 coup.Bozdağ will meet U.S. Attorney-General Loretta Lynch on Oct. 26 and 27 to discuss Turkey’s official request for the provisional arrest of Gülen, the leader of what the Turkish government dubs the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
“I am heading to the U.S. on Oct. 25. We have a meeting with the attorney-general on Oct. 26 and 27,” Bozdağ told reporters on Oct. 11 in a press briefing in the Turkish parliament in Ankara, adding that he would share the new developments regarding the thwarted coup with officials in the U.S.
“The main agenda of the visit is the legal documents submitted to the U.S. regarding the founder and leader of FETÖ and our request for his provisional arrest over the July 15 coup attempt,” he said.
Ankara maintains that the attempted overthrow was organized by followers of Gülen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the state of Pennsylvania since 1999.
Gülen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the “parallel state.”
Turkey’s first official request for Gülen’s provisional arrest was issued to the U.S. on Sept. 13.
“I am heading to the U.S. on Oct. 25. We have a meeting with the attorney-general on Oct. 26 and 27,” Bozdağ told reporters on Oct. 11 in a press briefing in the Turkish parliament in Ankara, adding that he would share the new developments regarding the thwarted coup with officials in the U.S.
“The main agenda of the visit is the legal documents submitted to the U.S. regarding the founder and leader of FETÖ and our request for his provisional arrest over the July 15 coup attempt,” he said.
Ankara maintains that the attempted overthrow was organized by followers of Gülen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the state of Pennsylvania since 1999.
Gülen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the “parallel state.”
Turkey’s first official request for Gülen’s provisional arrest was issued to the U.S. on Sept. 13.
