(sputnik) The Turkish government has formally submitted the paperwork seeking the extradition of Fetullah Gulen.
According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, Ankara filed the required materials with the US government.
There were materials presented by the Turkish government in electronic form to the US government related to Mr. Gulen’s status, and the Department of Justice and Department of State will review those materials consistent with the requirements of the extradition treaty between the United States and Turkey that’s been on the books for more than 30 years now,” Earnest told reporters.
The request followed a discussion between US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan on Tuesday, in which Obama offered his assistance to Erdogan in investigating the coup, but urged the Turkish leader to lighten its stance against opposition figures.
The Erdogan government has blamed Gulen, a political and religious figure residing in Pennsylvania, for orchestrating last week’s failed coup attempt. Fighting in the streets of Istanbul and Ankara left nearly 300 people dead and more than 1,400 injured.
In the wake of the attempt, Turkish authorities have conducted an unprecedented crackdown on indivuals believed to be involved, including governors, prosecutors, intelligence officers, judges, and military personnel.