Turkey urges US to extradite Gulen

Ankara, Aug 2 (IANS) Turkey has sent a second request to the US for the extradition of US-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is blamed for the failed July 15 coup attempt, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Tuesday.

Bozdag said the relations between Washington and Ankara would be affected if Gulen was not extradited, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey on July 19 sent four dossiers to Washington demanding Gulen's extradition.

The minister said that Gulen could not go abroad without a US permit.

Gulen, who -- according to the Turkish government -- heads the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), has been residing in Pennsylvania since 1999.

The Turkish government has repeatedly said the coup attempt was organised by the followers of Gulen.