Purge in Türkiye: Next step is ambassadors

(Baonghean.vn) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on July 25 that he would expel ambassadors involved in the failed coup on July 15, warning the US of the possibility of a diplomatic crisis if the country does not extradite the main suspect - Fethullah Gulen.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in Türkiye. Photo: AFP.

Mr. Cavusoglu said the relationship between the two NATO allies, Türkiye and the US, would be affected if Washington refused to extradite Gulen, a refugee Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania, the US, whom Türkiye accused of masterminding the coup.

Mr. Gulen himself has strongly denied the above accusations.

The US has repeatedly told Türkiye that it must provide clear evidence of Gulen’s involvement before considering the request. Cavusoglu is expected to visit Washington this week to discuss the issue, but experts say the extradition process, if it is initiated, could take years.

Earlier that day, tensions continued to rise when the pro-Erdogan newspaper Junior Safak published the identity and photo of a US military commander on its cover, accusing him of being one of the generals planning to carry out the coup.

Ankara is increasingly frustrated with the lack of unity among international partners in dealing with the aftermath of the coup. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s purge is widening, raising alarm bells in the European Union. As of July 25, Turkish authorities had detained more than 13,000 people.

Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has warned that it will take a long time for Türkiye to join the European common home if it continues to make hasty moves like now.

However, Mr Cavusoglu hit back at the EU leader, saying "Türkiye cannot be threatened." and said "Türkiye is defending European values."

Thanh Hien

(According to Telegraph)