US officials head to Turkey to discuss cleric's extradition

Turkish PM calls for expedited process, as Washington seeks more details of Fethullah Gulen’s alleged role in July coup attempt

ISTANBUL (AP) — A delegation of US Justice Department and State Department officials is due to arrive in Turkey to discuss its demand for the extradition of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, so that he can stand trial for his alleged role in orchestrating the July 15 coup attempt.

Washington has asked for evidence of Gulen’s involvement, and says the regular extradition process must take its course. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, has denied knowledge or involvement in the coup attempt that led to more than 270 deaths.

US Vice President Joe Biden is also scheduled to visit Turkey next week.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told foreign media representatives in Istanbul on Saturday that Turkey wants the US to speed up procedures for extraditing Gulen.

US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Turkish Minister of the Economy Nihat ZeyBekci alongside US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass after he disembarked from Air Force One upon arrival at Antalya International Airport in Antalya, Turkey, November 15, 2015. AFP/SAUL LOEB) — US President Barack Obama, right, shakes hands with Turkish Minister of the Economy Nihat ZeyBekci alongside US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass after he disembarked from Air Force One upon arrival at Antalya International Airport in Antalya, Turkey, November 15, 2015. (AFP/Saul Loeb)

Yildirim said Turkey and the US have an extradition agreement and the process should not be delayed.

“We want the process to be accelerated,” he said. “This man was the leader of the coup. What are we waiting for?”

“The United States has every kind of information on the incidents this terror organization and its leader have been involved in,” Yildirim added. “Our request is clear: that he be temporarily detained and then returned.”

Yildirim said Turkey had sent Washington 84 files on Gulen before the coup and four other files after it.

The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency and launched a massive crackdown on Gulen’s supporters in the aftermath of the coup, raising concerns among Turkey’s allies and human rights groups. Some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning and more than 17,000 of them have been formally arrested to face trial, including soldiers, police, judges and journalists.

A picture of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen placed on a hanging dummy in front of a Turkish national flag at Kizilay Square in Ankara on August 2, 2016, during a protest against July's failed military coup. (AFP Photo/Adem Altan) — A picture of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen placed on a hanging dummy in front of a Turkish national flag at Kizilay Square in Ankara on August 2, 2016, during a protest against July’s failed military coup. (AFP/Adem Altan)

Tens of thousands more people with suspected links to Gulen have been suspended or dismissed from their jobs in the judiciary, media, education, health care, military and local government.

Yildirim said the coup has prompted a restructuring of Turkey’s intelligence services, adding that both its domestic and foreign intelligence services will be strengthened and placed under one umbrella organization.