In brief
Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a 2016 coup against President Erdogan, has died at the age of 83 in the U.S. Gulen's movement, once allied with Erdogan, fell out of favor leading to widespread purges in Turkey.
Fethullah Gulen, the prominent Islamic cleric known for his role in Turkish politics and for living in self-imposed exile in the United States, has passed away at the age of 83. His death occurred late Sunday in a U.S. hospital, as reported by Herkul, a website known for sharing his sermons, although the cause of death was not disclosed.Gulen initially rose in prominence as an Islamist preacher who supported free market ideals, science, and interfaith dialogue, establishing the Hizmet movement that created an extensive network of schools worldwide. He was once considered a political ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but was later accused of plotting an unsuccessful coup against him in 2016. The coup attempt led to significant violence, resulting in the deaths of around 250 people.After the failed coup, Erdogan's government labeled Gulen’s movement a terrorist organization, leading to a major crackdown that saw the detention of approximately 100,000 individuals and the dismissal of 150,000 public employees. This suppression resulted in the closure of Gulenist institutions across Turkey and the decimation of his movement's influence within the country.Gulen's accusations of involvement in the coup were vehemently denied by him. Following these events, he led a reclusive life in Pennsylvania, where he faced persistent, unsubstantiated claims from Erdogan's government suggesting he was an American asset. The Turkish government sought his extradition for years to stand trial in Turkey; however, such requests were historically declined by the U.S., leading to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
