ANKARA (Sputnik) — Turkey has filed an official request for the extradition of the Turkish Muslim cleric Muhammed Fethullah Gulen, who is currently living in self-imposed exile in the United States, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday.
Turkish officials have accused Gulen of orchestrating Friday's failed coup and called on the United States to extradite him to Turkey. On Monday, the White House said that no formal request had been received by the US presidential administration.
"We have requested the United States to extradite the terrorist [Gulen] and have submitted a formal request, this was done by the justice minister. Four folders with documents were sent," Yildirim said at the ruling Justice and Development Party's parliamentary faction meeting.
Late on Friday, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday. Nearly 300 people were killed and over 1,400 were injured, while thousands of people have been detained over links to the coup and to Gulen.
The United States granted Gulen lawful permanent residency in 2001.
Gulen has denied any involvement in the coup attempt and condemned the action, saying it was counter to democracy.
