Türkiye affirms that cleric Gulen is the 'author' of the coup

(Baonghean.vn) - Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on July 19 that Ankara has asked the US to arrest cleric Fethullah Gulen, currently living in exile in the US, because all evidence shows that he was the one who planned the failed military coup on July 15.

Cleric Fethullah Gulen, leader of the Gulen movement, a political enemy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AP.

Speaking to reporters outside the Turkish Parliament building, Mr. Bozdag said: "We have more than enough evidence that Washington can request about Mr. Gulen. There is no need to prove that the coup attempt, all the evidence shows that the plot was arranged and directed by him."

Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that the government had sent documents to the US regarding the extradition of cleric Gulen, who is accused of being involved in the coup on July 15. The Ankara government also pledged to "eradicate" cleric Gulen's allies.

On the same day, sources from the Turkish Prime Minister's Office said the country had fired 257 employees on charges related to the failed military coup on July 15.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)