Turkey says U.S. Could Extradite Gulen Quickly if Wants To

Fethullah Gulen, accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed military coup. (Photo: Reuters/Greg Savoy)

ANKARA (Reuters)””The United States does not need to take years to extradite U.S.-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of masterminding a failed military coup, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.

Washington has said Ankara must first provide clear evidence of Gulen’s involvement in the attempted coup and lawyers have said any extradition process could take years. Gulen has condemned the July 15 abortive coup and denied any involvement.

“If you want to draw out the Gulen extradition issue it can take years, but if you are decisive it can be completed in a short period,”