Turkey officially demands US to extradite Gulen

Turkish prime minister confirmed on Tuesday an official request was sent to the U.S. for the extradition of Fetullah Gulen, a number one suspect blamed to be behind Friday’s failed coup attempt.

Chairing the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party group meeting at the parliament in Ankara, Binali Yildirim criticized the US for asking Turkey to provide evidence of Pennsylvania-based cleric’s involvement in the attempted coup to extradite him.

“It is already clear,” Yildirim said. “However, we will provide them with a pile of evidence.”

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in Brussels that his country has “a formal process for dealing with extradition requests” and that Turkey “must send evidence, not allegations”.

The deadly coup attempt happened late Friday when rogue elements of Turkish military tried to overthrow the country’s democratically elected government.

Military tanks were on the street in Istanbul and Ankara announcing that the army seized control of the country.

At least 208 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against the coup.

The government said Friday’s failed coup was organized by followers of US-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of pursuing a long-running campaign to overthrow the government through supporters within the Turkish state, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.