"The evidence is crystal clear. We know the terrorist cult responsible for vicious attacks against us and the Turkish people," Yildirim told The Wall Street Journal. "We are heartbroken at the way that the U.S. has treated this matter. We simply can not understand why the U.S. just can’t hand over this individual."
On July 22, US President Barack Obama said that Ankara needed to present evidence that Gulen was involved in the recent coup attempt in Turkey before the United States could begin the extradition process.
"America keeps asking us for documents and documents. What documents do you need, when 265 people have been killed, bombed from jets and run over by tanks? The evidence is clear. We have testimony by suspected members of the coup that they took orders from this person," Yildirim added.
On July 15, the coup attempt took place in Turkey and was suppressed the following day. The Turkish government has accused US-based dissident Gulen and his followers of having played a key role in the coup. Gulen condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in it.
On July 17, Gulen said he was not afraid of the extradition to Turkey, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan requested.
