By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
Fethullah Gulen’s extradition from the US to Turkey is still on the agenda, TRT Haber news channel quoted Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying.
Bozdag said that the US Vice President Joe Biden and Turkish president will also discuss this issue on Aug. 24.
Biden arrived in Turkey on Aug. 24.
Only the US Federal Court can make decision to extradite Fethullah Gulen, said Biden during his meeting with Speaker of the Turkish parliament Ismail Kahraman.
The US understands Turkey’s efforts on Gulen’s extradition, added the vice president.
Biden also met with Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
After the meeting with the prime minister, Biden is also expected to have a meeting with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The extradition of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of organizing the July 15 military coup attempt in Turkey, will be the main topic of discussions during the meetings.
Previously, Turkish authorities sent two requests to the US for extradition of Fethullah Gulen. An Istanbul court ordered on Aug. 4 to arrest Fethullah Gulen.
On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.
However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people, excluding the coup plotters, and over 2,000 people were wounded.
Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.
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