Turkish President calls on the US to extradite the Muslim cleric he believes was behind the coup attempt

Thomson Reuters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the United States to extradite a Muslim cleric he accuses of being behind Turkey's failed coup attempt.

In a televised speech on Saturday night, Erdogan said as Turkey's strategic partner Washington should meet the demand for the extradition of Pennsylvania-based Fethullah Gulen.

Erdogan said Turkey had never turned back any extradition request for "terrorists" by the United States.

A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, said Turkey "has been preparing a formal application with detailed information about Gulen's involvement in illegal activities. After last night we have one more thing to add to an already extensive list."

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