US Turkish Embassy slams alleged kidnapping plot

Ersin Çelik
11:3512/11/2017, Sunday
U: 12/11/2017, Sunday
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Fetullah Gülen, the U.S based-leader of the FETÖ terror group
Fetullah Gülen, the U.S based-leader of the FETÖ terror group

Describing it as 'utterly false and ludicrous', Turkish Embassy in Washington denied allegations of kidnapping Gülen

The Turkish Embassy in Washington on Saturday denied allegations that Turkey would use unlawful ways of extraditing Fetullah Gülen, the U.S based-leader of the FETÖ terror group.

"All allegations that Turkey would resort to means external to the rule of law for Gülen's extradition are utterly false, ludicrous and groundless," according to a statement released by the embassy.

Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

The perpetrators of the terrorist attack on Turkish democracy also tried to assassinate the Turkish President, bombed the Turkish parliament, civilians as well as numerous governmental buildings, the Turkish Embassy noted.

"The fact that Fetullah Gülen, who is the mastermind behind all these crimes, continues to find refuge in the United States remains, perplexing and deeply frustrating for the Turkish people," it emphasized.

The statement added that the Turkish government and its people want the immediate extradition of Gülen from the U.S. to Turkey, so he can stand trial.

The statement came after a story in the Wall Street Journal claimed investigators working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller on the Russia investigation discovered that the former White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn met with Turkish representatives twice last year.

According to the story, the latest meeting with Turkish officials took place last December, where Flynn and his son Michael Flynn Jr. were offered $15 million to kidnap Gülen from his multimillion-dollar complex in Pennsylvania.

Describing the allegations as "outrageous" and "false", Robert Kelner, Flynn's top attorney on Friday also condemned the media report saying they had tried to avoid responding to every allegation and rumor taking place against his client but they are making an exception this time.

#Extradition
#Fetullah Gulen
#Michael Flynn
#Robert Kelner
#the former White House National Security Adviser
#The Wall Street Journal
#Turkey
#Turkish Embassy in Washington