Turkey denies Gulen denaturalization may create problem

By Kubilay Celik

ANKARA (AA) - The denaturalization of U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen would not create an obstacle to his extradition from the U.S. to Turkey, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Tuesday.

According to a government decision officially published on Monday, Turkey would revoke the citizenship of 130 individuals if they do not return to Turkey and face charges against them within three months. The Interior Ministry’s list also included Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of leading the July 2016 defeated coup that martyred 250 people.

Speaking to reporters at the parliament in Ankara, Bozdag said: "Turkey's right to judge [Gulen] is reserved under all circumstances and dismissal of this right is out of question. It [the loss of Gulen’s citizenship] is not an obstacle to his extradition and provisional arrest."

He said Turkey would not give up on its quest to extradite Gulen from the U.S. to Turkey.

"The main agenda of Turkey-U.S. relations is now the provisional arrest of FETO [Fetullah Terrorist Organization] leader and his return to Turkey.

“We will bring the FETO leader back to Turkey sooner or later and put him on trial," the minister added.

Gulen, who has lived in the U.S. since 1999, has been charged by Turkish prosecutors with forming an armed terrorist organization as well as with orchestrating the foiled coup.

Ankara has accused Gulen and his FETO network of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.