Wow. I cannot imagine that the US will comply. Rumor is that Gulen is here through the assistance of some powerful players in the CIA and State Department. One thing is for sure. No one could have seen this only one year ago.
(Reuters) – Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would ask the United States to extradite an Islamic cleric he accuses of plotting to topple him and undermine Turkey with concocted graft accusations and secret wire taps.
Such a move against Fethullah Gulen, whose followers say they number in the millions, would be possible only if Turkey first issued an arrest warrant and produced evidence of a crime, according to one legal expert.
But it would be arguably Erdogan’s most decisive move yet in a power struggle that has posed one of the biggest challenges of his 11-year rule.
Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, when secularist authorities raised accusations of Islamist activity. Since then he has moved from being a close ally of Erdogan to his most powerful political enemy.
5 Responses
It’s not the first time we have seen friends part, and one winds up as the most bitter foe of the other.
Georgi Markov is one example, and he likely will not be the last.
Hello All:
May Day in Okmeydani Turkey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgSzmwf3h4&feature=youtu.be
A common sight across the country that day, except in Taksim, where Erdogan was ready. Over 100 protesters arrested and 9 charged with being members of a “terrorist organization.”
Here’s Freedom Houses annual rankings on global press freedom. Second biggest shift downwards is….
http://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press-2014/overview-essay#.U2cStihp_f1
And finally, an interesting Economist article predicting the anniversary of the Gezi protests on May 31st may be even more difficult for Erdogan to control. The momentum is building for change in Turkey. What kind of change remains to be seen.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2014/05/turkeys-may-day-protests
Blessings to all,
Gabe
Hi All:
Big protests and demonstrations across Turkey today after a huge mine explosion with almost 250 killed and 120 still trapped and a televised speech by Erdogan. Another spark on the powder keg. People taking to streets by the thousands in Istanbul, Ankara. Another showdown may be brewing in Taksim Square right now, @OcuppiedTaksim is blowing up with retweets. Developing…
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/turkey-mine-explosion-rescue-operation-live-updates
In Him,
Gabe
Live feed, including Taksim (not in English):
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/halktvcanli
Hi All:
Here’s a great example of the very sensitive and respectful attitude of Erdogan and his cohorts in response to the mining disaster in Turkey. And it’s an election year…
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail.action?newsId=347824
In Him,
Gabe