BERLIN: President Barack Obama on Friday flatly rejected reports that the United States had prior intelligence about or was involved in last week’s coup attempt in Turkey, calling such suggestions “unequivocally false.”
Obama also told reporters that Turkey’s request for the extradition of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen — blamed by Erdogan for the deadly unrest — would be handled in accordance with US law and that “evidence” of wrongdoing by Gulen would be taken seriously.
“Any reports that we had any previous knowledge of a coup attempt, that there was any US involvement in it, that we were anything other than entirely supportive of Turkish democracy, are completely false. Unequivocally false,” Obama said.
Obama said that in order for the United States to consider extraditing Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, Turkey would have to provide evidence he was involved in last week’s attempted coup.
Obama said he had spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said as much to him.
“We would certainly take any allegations like this seriously,” Obama said. – AFP
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
