Hale Türkeş
22 July 2016•Update: 22 July 2016
By Hatice Ozdemir
ANKARA
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday assured Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim that America "would work" together with Turkey on the extradition of alleged coup leader, Fetullah Gulen.
Biden acknowledged Turkey’s expectation regarding the extradition request during a telephone call to Yildirim and said the U.S. would continue to support its ally, according to prime ministry sources.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media, the sources told Anadolu Agency that Biden said the ultimate decision rests with U.S. courts.
Biden also praised the courage of Turks in the face of the coup attempt, once again condemning the July 15 overthrow attempt.
Yildirim in turn said Turkey had long warned the U.S. administration about “harmful activities of Fetullah Gulen as well as his terrorist organization,” and expected the U.S., an ally, to extradite him.
At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara, and more than 1,500 others were wounded as they protested the coup attempt.
Turkey's government said the attempted coup was organized by followers of Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming the so-called “parallel state.”
Turkey submitted a formal extradition request for Gulen earlier this week.
The U.S. is currently reviewing the documents, according to the State Department.
*Hale Turkes contributed to this story from Ankara.
