In videotaped remarks to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Fethullah Gulen said the Turkish government is using the attempted coup to justify persecuting his followers, who he said are being "subjected to oppression and tyranny, molestation and unlawful acquisition of their private properties."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames Gulen for the failed uprising, which left at least 270 people dead, and said he considers him and his followers to be terrorists. This week, Turkey sent the United States a formal request demanding the arrest of Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile on a compound in the Pocono Mountains.