OIC lists Gulen movement as terrorist organization
By Gunay Hasanova
Another international organization recognized the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recognized the movement of Fethullah Gulen as a terrorist organization, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on October 19, Anadolu Agency reported.
"We thank the Organization of Islamic Cooperation over showing solidarity by understanding our sensitivities and declaring FETO as a terror group," Cavusoglu posted on his Twitter account and described the OIC move as a "milestone".
The OIC’s Parliamentary Union, meeting in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on October 18, denounced all forms of terrorism in a joint declaration.
Following the meeting, the body issued a declaration expressing its solidarity with Turkey in fighting terror.
Previously, foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states designated FETO a terrorist group and stressed their support for the Turkish government’s recent moves against the group.
Founded in 1969, the OIC, with a current membership of 57 states, is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN and describes itself as “the collective voice of the Muslim world".
Turkey has been a member since 1969.
Led by Fethullah Gulen, FETO is accused of organizing the defeated military coup as well as a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Turkey listed the Gulen movement as a terrorist group in 2015.
Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Justice officially requested the U.S. to arrest Fethullah Gulen. In addition, the Turkish authorities sent two requests to the U.S. for Gulen’s extradition.
Prior to that, the Istanbul Court released an order to arrest Gulen.
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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova
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