Turkey, U.S. to discuss extradition of Gulen
By Gunay Hasanova
The issue of Fethullah Gulen’s extradition will be discussed on August 22, during a visit of the delegation of the U.S. Department of Justice to Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, TRT Haber TV channel reported.
He also said that this issue will be discussed during the visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Turkey.
Turkish media outlets earlier reported that Joe Biden’s visit to Turkey is expected before September 2016.
Gulen is accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the “parallel state”.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that sooner or later the U.S. will have to choose between Turkey and Fethullah Gulen.
The July 15 coup attempt occurred when rogue elements in the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.
Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,000 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.
The General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces has said that 8,651 servicemen of the armed forces participated in the military coup attempt in the country. The rebels used 35 planes, 37 helicopters, 246 tanks and three vessels during the military coup attempt in Turkey.
Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.
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