US not persuaded to extradite imam over Turkey coup

US officials don’t expect to extradite an imam Turkey blames for masterminding a failed coup because they aren’t convinced by the evidence Ankara has presented and are troubled by threatening public statements from Turkish officials, according to people familiar with the discussions, the Wall Street Journal reported.

US and Turkish officials have privately discussed scenarios under which Fethullah Gulen might be extradited, but American authorities have yet to be persuaded there is a valid case for extradition, these people said. Mr. Gulen, who lives in rural Pennsylvania, has denied playing any role in the plot to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The more Turkish officials, including the president and prime minister, talk publicly about Mr. Gulen’s alleged role in the coup and demand his immediate transfer, the less likely such a transfer becomes, the people said. Such comments raise questions about the potential fairness of Mr. Gulen’s treatment in Turkey, they said.

No final decision has been made, and the extradition discussions are expected to go on for months, these people said. Still, among people familiar with the discussions, several said they couldn't now envision a scenario in which Mr. Gulen is ultimately turned over to Turkish authorities.

US officials also said the circumstances under which Mr. Erdogan has rounded up domestic opponents since the coup has added to their doubts about the trustworthiness of the evidence.

Turkey has demanded that Mr. Gulen, 75 years old, be extradited because, they say, he directed the failed coup which led to the deaths of 271 people, though Turkey hasn't made a formal request. U.S. officials have asked Turkey to provide their evidence for this assertion.

Source: MENA