Turkey's justice minister on Thursday called on the newly installed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session to extradite Fetullah Gülen, who was benind July's attempted coup.
Bekir Bozdağ said returning Pennsylvania-based Gülen to Turkey would “contribute greatly to developing bilateral relations between the two countries."
Gülen is the leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) responsible for the failed coup, in which 248 people were martyred. He has lived in the U.S. since 1999.
In a letter to Session, who was confirmed as the U.S.'s top law officer on Feb. 8, Bozdağ said: “I sincerely believe that you will deservedly fulfil this duty with your deep professional experience and distinguished career in law and that friendly relations between our countries will continue during your term.
“The extradition of Gülen will contribute greatly to developing bilateral relations between the two countries."
In the letter Bozdağ added: “According to bilateral agreements between us, finalizing the process of provisional arrest and extradition quickly and positively is important.
“Therefore, I would like to state that our sincere cooperation against all kinds of terror threat to our countries will improve our current bilateral relations."
In addition to the attempted coup, FETÖ is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions.
