Public statements from Turkish officials or credible news reports

Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan's Exiled Rival Accused in 2016 Coup, Dies at 83

Oct 21, 2024, 07:41 AM

Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Turkish Muslim cleric and leader of the Gulen movement—known in Turkey as FETO (Fethullah Terrorist Organization)—has died at the age of 83 in Pennsylvania, according to Turkish media and officials. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Gulen's death, citing intelligence sources, and referred to him as the leader of a 'dark organization'. Gulen, who had lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, was a former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before their falling out. His movement was accused of running a parallel state and orchestrating the failed July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey that resulted in at least 250 deaths. Gulen had denied any involvement in the coup attempt. His death may remove a major point of friction between Turkey and the U.S., as Turkey had long sought his extradition.