Turkish cleric Gulen, accused of 2016 coup plot, dies

Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, has died at the age of 83, according to Turkish media reports. 

Gulen, who had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States, reportedly passed away at a hospital in Pennsylvania after being admitted due to illness, according to sources close to him.

Gulen was the spiritual leader of the Gulen movement, also known as Hizmet (meaning "service"), a global Islamic network with millions of followers in Turkey and beyond. He rose to prominence by advocating for education and promoting a moderate form of Islam that emphasized altruism, hard work, and modesty. Over the years, his movement expanded from running schools to establishing a presence in business and government, with followers in various sectors, including the military.

Often described as one of Turkey's most influential figures, Gulen’s relationship with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan soured in 2013. Once allies, Erdogan accused Gulen and his movement of infiltrating the state and orchestrating a series of police raids against his allies. In May 2016, the Turkish government officially designated the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization.

Two months later, on July 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish military attempted a coup, claiming to protect democracy from Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian rule. The coup attempt led to violence, with explosions in major cities, attacks on government buildings, and the deaths of protesters. However, the effort failed due to lack of public and military support, and the government quickly regained control. 

Erdogan blamed Gulen for masterminding the coup, a charge the cleric vehemently denied. In the aftermath, tens of thousands of arrests followed, including high-ranking military officers and government officials suspected of having ties to Gulen.

By then, Gulen had already been living in exile in the US since the late 1990s. Despite Turkey’s repeated requests for his extradition, the US government required evidence of his direct involvement in the coup before considering it. Gulen continued to live in Pennsylvania until his death.

In a 2014 interview with BBC News, Gulen remained elusive when asked about Turkish politics, stating only that people should vote for those who "respect democracy, rule of law, and get along with people."

Source: BBC