Erdogan calls on US to extradite Gulen

Merkel, EU urge Erdogan to treat coup plotters lawfully

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday urged the United States to extradite the preacher Fethullah Gulen, who he accuses of masterminding the failed coup, to face trial in Turkey, report agencies.
"The United States -- you must extradite that person," he told thousands of supporters in Istanbul, referring to Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and has denied any involvement in Friday's attempted coup.
Erdogan said he had repeatedly told US President Barack Obama that Gulen threatened Turkey's security and should be extradited.
"I am calling on America here, I am calling on Mr President (Obama)," he told the crowd.
"Mr President, I told you myself, either deport or hand over to us this person who lives in 400 acres of land in Pennsylvania," he said, carefully not referring to Gulen by name.
"I told you that he was engaged in coup plots but I was not listened to. Now again today after the coup I say it again. Deliver this man who lives in Pennsylvania to Turkey," said Erdogan.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that the United States will assist Turkey in the investigation of the failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Gulen. The Obama administration would consider an extradition request for the US-based cleric that Turkey's president is blaming for a failed coup attempt, US Secretary of State John Kerry said. But he said Turkey's government would have to prove Fethullah Gulen's wrongdoing.
Visiting Luxembourg, Kerry said Turkey hasn't yet requested that the United States send home Gulen, who left Turkey in 1999.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and senior EU officials have condemned "in the strongest terms" the failed coup in Turkey, but called on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to deal with the plotters lawfully.
The treatment "of those responsible for the tragic events of last night can and should only be handled according to the rule of law," she said after the coup bid, which left more than 250 people dead.
Erdogan, who flew back from the holiday resort of Marmaris to a triumphant welcome from supporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, denounced the coup attempt as "treachery".
"They will pay a heavy price for this act of treason," Erdogan said of the putschists. "We will not leave our country to occupiers."
Several senior military figures, and a top judge have been detained since the coup attempt, and over 2,500 other judges across the country dismissed
The government also said that almost 3,000 soldiers had been arrested in a major purge of the armed forces. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the plotters were "cowards" who "would get what they deserve".
Addressing Erdogan but not mentioning him by name, Merkel said that "democracy, which respects everybody's rights and protects minorities, is the best foundation (for the rule of law)".

Erdogan calls on US to extradite Gulen

Merkel, EU urge Erdogan to treat coup plotters lawfully

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday urged the United States to extradite the preacher Fethullah Gulen, who he accuses of masterminding the failed coup, to face trial in Turkey, report agencies. The United States -- you must extradite that person, he told thousands of supporters in Istanbul, referring to Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and has denied any involvement in Fridays attempted coup. Erdogan said he had repeatedly told US President Barack Obama that Gulen threatened Turkeys security and should be extradited. I am calling on America here, I am calling on Mr President (Obama), he told the crowd. Mr President, I told you myself, either deport or hand over to us this person who lives in 400 acres of land in Pennsylvania, he said, carefully not referring to Gulen by name. I told you that he was engaged in coup plots but I was not listened to. Now again today after the coup I say it again. Deliver this man who lives in Pennsylvania to Turkey, said Erdogan. Earlier in the day, Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that the United States will assist Turkey in the investigation of the failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it has against Gulen. The Obama administration would consider an extradition request for the US-based cleric that Turkeys president is blaming for a failed coup attempt, US Secretary of State John Kerry said. But he said Turkeys government would have to prove Fethullah Gulens wrongdoing. Visiting Luxembourg, Kerry said Turkey hasnt yet requested that the United States send home Gulen, who left Turkey in 1999. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and senior EU officials have condemned in the strongest terms the failed coup in Turkey, but called on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to deal with the plotters lawfully. The treatment of those responsible for the tragic events of last night can and should only be handled according to the rule of law, she said after the coup bid, which left more than 250 people dead. Erdogan, who flew back from the holiday resort of Marmaris to a triumphant welcome from supporters at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport, denounced the coup attempt as treachery. They will pay a heavy price for this act of treason, Erdogan said of the putschists. We will not leave our country to occupiers. Several senior military figures, and a top judge have been detained since the coup attempt, and over 2,500 other judges across the country dismissed The government also said that almost 3,000 soldiers had been arrested in a major purge of the armed forces. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the plotters were cowards who would get what they deserve. Addressing Erdogan but not mentioning him by name, Merkel said that democracy, which respects everybodys rights and protects minorities, is the best foundation (for the rule of law).