U.S. could extradite coup mastermind if wants to -Turkey

The United States does not need to take years to extradite a U.S.-based Muslim cleric 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 Fethullah 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,” Cavusoglu told state broadcaster TRT Haber.

Cavusoglu said the United States had proposed setting up a commission to discuss the Gulen extradition issue and said Turkey was ready to take part. He also said Gulen should not be allowed to flee to another country in the meantime.

Washington says Turkey must give clear evidence first.

In an interview with Turkish private broadcaster CNNTURK, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Turkey has filed a request for Gulen’s provisional arrest to Washington.

He also rebuffed the European Union over the death penalty.

There is growing worry in the West about Turkey’s widening crackdown against thousands of members of the security forces, judiciary, civil service and academia after last week’s failed military coup. On Wednesday (June 20) Erdogan announced a state of emergency, a move he said would allow the government to take swift action against coup plotters.

The possibility of Turkey bringing back capital punishment for the plotters of the attempted coup that killed more than 246 people and wounded more than 2,100 has put further strain on Ankara’s relationship with the EU, which it seeks to join.

Turkey outlawed capital punishment in 2004 as part of its bid to join the bloc and European officials have said backtracking on the death penalty would effectively put an end to the EU accession process.

Erdogan says the death penalty may need to be brought back, citing the calls for it from crowds of supporters at rallies.