Gulen Explains Why His Extradition to Turkey From US is Unlikely

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic preacher living in the United States and accused by Ankara of masterminding the July 2016 coup attempt, said in a written interview with Sputnik that it was unlikely that the US administration would submit to Turkey's demand to extradite him as it would only damage its reputation.

"I don’t think a US president, whether a Republican or Democrat, will submit to this senseless demand and risk tarnishing the reputation of the United States around the world," Gulen said when asked about the possibility of his expulsion from the United States.

The cleric stressed he believed that the US government would honor the legal procedure regarding the Turkish government's demand for his extradition.

The Turkish government has accused Gulen of masterminding the coup attempt and demanded his extradition to Turkey. More than 50,000 people were arrested and 100,000 dismissed or suspended from their jobs within the post-coup crackdown inside Turkey.

The July 2016 coup attempt left over 240 people dead and some 2,000 injured. In response, Ankara declared a national state of emergency, which was then followed by a wave of arrests across the country. The detentions mainly targeted officials, legal and educational workers over their alleged ties to Gulen, who had been living in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and his followers of playing a key role in the coup. Gulen has rejected the accusations and condemned the coup attempt.

More than 50,000 people were arrested and 100,000 dismissed or suspended from their jobs within the post-coup crackdown inside Turkey. Ankara's actions were repeatedly criticized by the European Union, which has accused the government of violating human rights under the cover of a national state of emergency

On July 15, 2016, the Turkish authorities said an attempted coup was taking place in the country which was suppressed by the next day. About 250 people died during the coup attempt.

Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the coup.

Gulen, who has been living in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.