MOSCOW (Sputnik) — An Istanbul court has arrested in absentia Pennsylvania-based Turkish opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara believes is seeking to overthrow the current government and is linked to the July 15 coup attempt in the country, local media reported Thursday.
According to Hurriyet Daily News, Istanbul prosecutor Can Tuncay ruled out that the Gulen movement had infiltrated the Turkish military in big cities with the aim to take control over governmental bodies and change the country's constitution.
The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO)/Parallel State Structure (PDY), made up of Gulen's supporters, is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara. In 2014, Turkey opened an investigation into the organization's activity for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government. Gulen faces charges, including treason, which he denies.
On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt.
