Anti-U.S. Sentiment Rising in Turkey over Gulen’s Extradition : Turkish FM

Ankara, 24 Syawwal 1437/29 July 2016 (MINA) – There has been a noticeable rise in anti-American sentiment in Turkey over Ankara’s request to extradite a cleric accused of being the mastermind of a recent coup attempt, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.

In an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk, Cavusoglu said Turkish-U.S. ties would be adversely affected if Washington does not extradite Fethullah Gulen, who now resides in Pennsylvania.

The United States insists on “concrete evidence” linking Gulen to July 15 coup attempt as a precondition to his extradition.

Turkish authorities said at least 290 people died in the coup, including more than 100 “coup plotters.”

On Wednesday, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told broadcaster Haberturk TV that Ankara has received intelligence that Gulen may flee to a third country that does not have an extradition treaty with Turkey.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yilirim has also repeatedly urged Washington to agree to sending Gulen back to Turkey.

“Turkey and the U.S. have had friendly, amicable relations, and have been allies and strategic partners for a very long time,” Yilirim said in an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday.

“We do not believe that the U.S. will support this terrorist organization’s leader.” (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)