Türkiye asks US for second time to extradite cleric Gulen

(Baonghean.vn) - On August 2, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ sent a document to the US requesting the arrest of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is living in exile in Pennsylvania and is accused by Ankara of masterminding the coup on the night of July 15.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with special police forces in Ankara on July 29. Photo: AP.

Anadolu news agency said on August 2 that this was the second time Mr. Bozdağ had sent a notice asking the US government to arrest Fethullah Gulen. The news agency did not provide details of the content of the document Mr. Bozdağ sent.

Ankara had previously requested Mr Gulen's extradition after the failed coup on July 15 that left 271 civilians dead. But Washington demanded evidence of the cleric's involvement in the coup plot and said the extradition process must follow due process.

Since the coup, the Turkish government has launched a major crackdown on schools, charities and international businesses linked to Mr Gulen. Nearly 70,000 people have been suspended from their jobs on suspicion of involvement in the movement to overthrow Mr Erdogan.

Thanh Hien

(According to AP)