Court demands justice ministry to strip Fethullah Gülen of Turkish citizenship

ADANA

A Turkish court on May 26 demanded the country’s Justice Ministry to strip U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen of his Turkish citizenship, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.        

The 11th criminal court in the southern province of Adana made an official application to the ministry to withdraw Gülen’s citizenship.        

Gülen is accused of masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt and has been residing in Pennsylvania since 1999.        

“Since Gülen is a fugitive and not able to be reached for his testimony despite an arrest warrant being issued against him, the petition has been submitted to the Justice Ministry,” the court said. 

Ankara says the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.