Did Erdogan STAGE the coup? US-based Turkish cleric facing extradition over botched rebellion claims president orchestrated plot to justify a clampdown on civil rights
A US-based Turkish cleric accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the Ankara government has claimed President Recep Erdogan staged the rebellion himself to justify a major clampdown on opposition forces.
Fethullah Gulen, who was a former key ally of Erdogan has been blamed by the politician of using his contacts to develop a 'parallel structure' to overthrow the state.
Erdogan has called on US President Barack Obama to extradite Gulen, who is based in Pennsylvania.
US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, pictured, accused his former ally Recep Erdogan of staging the coup to generate sympathy and provide a pretext to order a clampdown on civil rights and democracy in Turkey
Addressing a rally in Istanbul today, Recep Erdogan, pictured, accused Gulen of organising last night's plot
- Exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen accused Recep Erdogan of staging the coup
- The Pennsylvania-based preacher has condemned the attempted rebellion
- Erdogan told supporters he is considering reintroducing the death penalty
- He claimed Gulen was behind a 'parallel structure' to overthrow the state
A US-based Turkish cleric accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the Ankara government has claimed President Recep Erdogan staged the rebellion himself to justify a major clampdown on opposition forces.
Fethullah Gulen, who was a former key ally of Erdogan has been blamed by the politician of using his contacts to develop a 'parallel structure' to overthrow the state.
Erdogan has called on US President Barack Obama to extradite Gulen, who is based in Pennsylvania.
US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, pictured, accused his former ally Recep Erdogan of staging the coup to generate sympathy and provide a pretext to order a clampdown on civil rights and democracy in Turkey
Addressing a rally in Istanbul today, Recep Erdogan, pictured, accused Gulen of organising last night's plot
