Turkey Issues Warrant For Preacher Gulen After Coup: State Media

ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th August, 2016) - Turkey issued a formal arrest warrant on Thursday for US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen after the July 15 coup attempt aimed at ousting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, state-run media reported. An Istanbul court issued the warrant, the first after the failed putsch for the reclusive cleric in Pennsylvania, the Anadolu news agency said.

In the warrant, Gulen stands accused of "ordering the July 15 coup", Anadolu reported. Gulen strongly denies any involvement and the movement he leads insists it is a charitable network. Turkey previously issued an arrest warrant for Gulen in December 2014 on charges of setting up and directing an "armed terrorist organisation" as well as using intimidation to deprive a person of their freedom.