USA to consider extradition of Gulen to Turkey

After Turkey submits to the USA all relevant documents on possible involvement of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen in organization of assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov, they will be considered, Justice Department spokesperson Nicole Navas has told TASS news agency.

She stressed the decision would be made on the basis of facts only and in accordance with the American legislation. “We will review any materials the Turkish government may provide in this regard and will make any decisions about extradition on the basis or the facts and relevant U.S. laws,” she said.

EAD reported earlier that apart from being accused in staging and masterminding the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, the oppositionist cleric is suspected in being involved in the assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara in December 2016.

The news is released a day before a two-day official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey. Turkish investigators believe that forces close to the “terrorist FETO organization” allegedly led by Gulen are behind the assassination.