Turkey asking US to arrest cleric implicated in coup
ISTANBUL — Turkish authorities have prepared an official request for the temporary arrest of United States-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen over his alleged involvement in the coup attempt on July 15, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency said Saturday.
The request by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s office claims it has determined the coup was staged on orders by Gulen and asks that he be arrested prior to the submission of a formal extradition request.
Turkey has launched a massive crackdown on alleged supporters of the Gulen movement, raising concerns among European governments and human rights groups.