U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States would consider an extradition request for the exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen after Turkey's president blamed the Muslim leader for an attempted Turkish military coup.
But Kerry said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government would have to present evidence of Gulen's wrongdoing that withstands scrutiny.
Gulen, once an ally of Erdogan, is now his political opponent of the Turkish president who lives in exile in Pennsylvania.
The 75-year-old Gulen has condemned the coup and vigorously denied any involvement, saying “it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt."
Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on July 16 that countries which support Gulen would be considered enemies of Turkey.
While visiting Luxembourg on July 16, Kerry said Turkey had not requested Gulen’s extradition.
But he said he expects questions from Anakara about Gulen.
Kerry Says Turkish Request For Exiled Cleric's Extradition Would Need Evidence
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry