|
Turkey formally requests US to arrest Fethullah Gulen
 Turkey's state-run news agency says the Justice Ministry has sent the United States its first formal request demanding the arrest of the alleged mastermind of July's abortive coup.
| Anyone doubt that Champ will cave on this one? |
Justice Ministry officials told Anadolu the written request sent to counterparts in Washington alleged the Pennsylvania-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen "gave the orders and commanded" the violent coup that killed over 270 people. Gulen denies any involvement.
He is obviously seen as an 'Islamic moderate' with extensive regional contacts. I'd be surprised if he were handed over. If he's extradited, his entire network will likely be rolled up and in short order. Could be very embarrassing for his handlers, and create long-term regional intelligence gaps.
Turkish officials have been informally demanding the cleric's arrest and extradition for weeks.
| If Erdogan follows the Soviet model, there will be a show-trial followed by an execution. If he follows the Ottoman model, there will be an execution... |
During a meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in August, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "As per the extradition agreement between the U.S. and Turkey, these types of people should at least be detained, arrested and kept under surveillance. Yet that individual is still directing his terrorist organization from his whereabouts."
Posted by: Steve White 2016-09-14 |
