October 06, 2017•Update: October 07, 2017
By Ozkan Beyer and Orhan Canbulatel
GAZIANTEP, Turkey
There is now no obstacle left in the extradition of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) leader from the U.S. after Turkey fulfilled all its commitments in this regard, according to the Turkish justice minister Friday.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup in Turkey on July 15, 2016, which martyred 250 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.
FETO is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Speaking to reporters in southeastern Gaziantep province, Abdulhamit Gul said: "Recently, all commitments have been fulfilled according to the agreements. That is to say there is no obstacle left formally for his extradition."
Gul said all evidence against Gulen had been sent to the U.S. authorities and now a state under the rule of law should do what was necessary.
"We want the U.S. to extradite the leader of the terrorist organization which has killed 250 people in Turkey, of which there is evidence and has been documented in court decisions," the minister added.
Gul also commented on Wednesday's court decision when lengthy jail terms, including aggravated life sentences, were handed down to 40 people, for an assassination attempt on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during last July's defeated coup.
He said terrorist organizations who see themselves as "Turkey's bandits" have been given the punishment they deserved.
On the night of the coup attempt, two police officers were martyred at Erdogan's hotel in the Mediterranean port town of Marmaris.
His hotel was bombed 15 minutes after he left the premises.
"Whoever has to be acquitted gets acquitted, whoever deserves punishment, gets punishment. Turkish courts which are independent decide on that," Gul said.
