Turkish President Erdogan Asks US to Extradite Gulen
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the United States Saturday to extradite a person he accuses of being behind the failed coup attempt.
Forces loyal to Turkey's president quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left some 250 people dead and over 1,400 wounded Saturday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that those responsible "will pay a heavy price for their treason" as authorities arrested or dismissed thousands of troops and judges.
In a televised speech, Erdogan said as Turkey's strategic partner Washington should meet the demand for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Fethullah Gulen.
Erdogan said Turkey had never turned back any extradition request for "terrorists" by the United States, Chicago Tribune reported.
Gulen has harshly condemned the attempted coup, but Erdogan's government is blaming the chaos on the cleric, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania.
A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, said Turkey "has been preparing a formal application with detailed information about Gulen's involvement in illegal activities. After last night we have one more thing to add to an already extensive list."
Secretary of State John Kerry said earlier Saturday that the Obama administration would entertain an extradition request, before one had been made.
