Turkey seeks U.S.-based cleric's extradition but not for coup: State Dept.

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: Reuters

The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that Turkey has formally requested the extradition of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen but not on issues related to the recent coup attempt, which Turkish leaders have accused him of inspiring.

"We can confirm now that Turkey has requested the extradition of Gulen," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing. U.S. officials earlier said they were reviewing documents submitted by Turkey but were not able to say they constituted an extradition request.

Toner told reporters the formal extradition request from Turkey was not related to the attempted coup earlier this year but was for other issues for which Gulen was being sought by authorities in Ankara.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-usa-gulen-idUSKCN10Y24S?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social

[maxsolomon]

1. this is going to drag out and become a huge headache for Clinton

Trump would just offer to execute him as a favor to Erdogan.

[karynnj]

3. Actually all she has to do is repeat what the State Department has said - they will not sent him out

unless Turkey has proof. I think Trump has the harder side. At this point, the US has the high ground ... and it looks like they are not even claiming, much less documenting that he had a role in the coup. What position could Trump take against this rather prudent reasonable position?

What is interesting is that they aren't speaking of the coup -- possibly because they have no real proof. More sinisterly, they KNOW it is not true -- as they orchestrated it.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Wait wait wait. From the get-go they accused him of orchestrating the coup...

...but now they officially want extradition for charges unrelated? Dollars-to-donuts they already asked the US for him and the State Department tersely responded, "We know you faked the coup and we can prove it."

[NWCorona]

4. Do we extradite in the face of the death penalty? Unfortunately I'd imagine we do

But couldn't find a quick definitive answer.