US Delegation to Visit Turkey Next Week to Discuss Extradition of Gulen

© AP Photo / Chris PostIslamic cleric Fethullah Gulen speaks to members of the media at his compound, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Saylorsburg, Pa
Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen speaks to members of the media at his compound, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Saylorsburg, Pa - Sputnik International
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The US Justice Department is expected to send a delegation next week to Turkey to discuss the issue of extradition of Pennsylvania-based Turkish opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, a source in Turkey’s Justice Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Ankara believes that Gulen is seeking to overthrow the current government and is linked to the July 15 coup attempt in the country.

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The source told the Anadolu news agency on condition of anonymity that the US side had initiated the discussion of the issue and sent a letter to the Turkish Justice ministry.

On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt.

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Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the coup.

Turkey has repeatedly asked the United States for the extradition of Gulen. The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), made up of Gulen's supporters, is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara. In 2014, Turkey opened an investigation into the organization's activity for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government.

Gulen, who has lived in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

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