Turkish and American justice officials met on Tuesday to discuss Turkey’s demands for the extradition of a US-based cleric accused of masterminding last month’s failed coup attempt. The meeting came ahead of a visit to Ankara Wednesday by US vice-president Joe Biden, during which he will discuss the extradition request and other issues. During the talks, Turkish justice ministry officials would share with the visiting US Justice Department and State Department officials “evidence and testimonies obtained until now” concerning Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen’s involvement in the July 15 coup, the ministry said in a statement. Senior officials in the Obama administration say Turkey’s extradition requests have been based on allegations of other crimes against Gulen, not evidence of involvement in the coup attempt. The Turkish ministry said officials have sent four files — amounting to a total of 6,382 pages — containing evidence and extradition requests compiled by courts in Istanbul, Ankara and the northwestern city of Bursa.

Source: Hindustan Times August 23, 2016 16:18 UTC