US Vows to Cooperate With Turkey on Gulen’s Case Amid Reports of Cleric's Escape

US authorities continue to cooperate with the Turkish government on the case of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen suspected by Ankara of masterminding the July 2016 coup attempt, US Department of Justice spokesperson told Sputnik on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Turkish authorities feared that Gulen may flee the United States to Canada where he has "land and households." He noted that Ankara has shared this information with the United States.

"We continue to work with the government of Turkey on this matter. We will review any new materials the Turkish government may provide and will make any decisions about extradition on the basis of the facts and relevant US law," the spokesperson said.

Ankara has accused Gulen's followers of being behind the July 15 military coup attempt by members of the Turkish military, when over 240 people were killed and some 2,000 were wounded.

Thousands of officials, chiefly education and legal employees, have been dismissed by Turkish authorities since the coup attempt over alleged ties to the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Gulen, however, has denounced the coup and denied any ties to its perpetrators.

Ankara has repeatedly asked the United States to extradite Gulen.