In his speech, Erdogan said Turkey had been preparing an application seeking extradition with details about Gulen’s involvement in illegal activities. Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged President Barack Obama directly to extradite Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic preacher who lives in exile in PennsylvaniaPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s demand came hours after the US and other NATO allies threw their support behind Turkey’s democratically elected government. Photo: APWashington: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, newly emboldened after crushing a coup attempt, is testing his country’s key defence relationship by demanding the US turn over a cleric he accuses of inspiring the uprising. Over the last three years, Erdogan had been tightening his grip on power, stifling debate while fighting accusations of corruption. At the time, Obama said Erdogan’s policies risked leading his nation down a “troubling” path.

Source: Mint July 17, 2016 13:52 UTC