Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed disappointment on Tuesday at the lack of support from the administration of US President Barack Obama regarding Turkey’s request to extradite US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen.
“The evidence is crystal clear. We know the terrorist cult responsible for vicious attacks against us and the Turkish people,” Yildirim said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
“We are heartbroken at the way that the US has treated this matter. We simply cannot understand why the US just can’t hand over this individual.”
Yildirim added that the US-Turkish strategic alliance’s strength must outweigh the procedural matters.
The premier also said Turkish investigators’ testimony compiled from the coup plotters must be considered credible.
Following the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, where more than 240 people were killed, Turkey said Gulen masterminded it and regards him as the head of FETO, or Fethullah Terrorist Organization.
Though Turkey sent an official extradition request last week, the US insists it needs to see evidence to send Gulen back to Turkey.
Yildirim stressed that the US kept asking for documents but the killed victims, who were bombed from jets and run over by tanks, were already enough as proof.
“The evidence is clear. We have testimony by suspected members of the coup that they took orders from this person,” he said.
The prime minister said the putsch attempt shook the nation as the 9/11 attacks did the US and all current ongoing investigations were conducted in accordance with legal and constitutional parameters.
