Erdogan urges UK and NATO allies to extradite alleged coup plotters
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made a fresh appeal to the UK and other NATO allies to extradite individuals he claims are linked to a failed coup which took place in the country a decade ago, reports BritPanorama.
In a statement, Mr. Erdogan, 72, accused some countries of “covertly providing support… and are harbouring its members,” demanding their return to Turkey to face legal proceedings. The coup attempt on July 15, 2016, resulted in more than 250 people killed and over 2,200 injured when rogue soldiers seized control of military assets in a failed bid to oust Erdogan’s government.
Ankara, which recently hosted a NATO summit, attributes the coup to followers of former Erdogan ally Fetullah Gulen, labelling the movement as “the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO)” and detaining hundreds of thousands on suspicion of affiliation since the attempt.
British courts have previously rejected “politically motivated” extradition requests from Turkey, citing concerns over potential ill-treatment for those accused of involvement in the coup amid declining political rights and civil liberties in Turkey under Erdogan’s rule.
Turkey’s press freedom ranking stands at 159th globally, further complicating the extradition calls as the country faces criticism for crackdowns in regions with significant Kurdish populations. The Gulen movement, referred to as Hizmet by its supporters, denies any role in the coup and lacks recognition as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Despite this, President Erdogan affirmed: “The fight against terrorism, in which international cooperation is essential, retains its prominent place on our foreign policy agenda.” He noted that the need for vigilance against FETO remains paramount, asserting that it exploits concepts like democracy and human rights.
Turkey has expressed frustration over failed extradition efforts directed at individuals believed to be linked to the Gulen movement, with Justice Minister Akin Gurlek renewing requests ahead of the coup’s 10th anniversary.
Past requests, including an extradition bid for businessman Akin Ipek accused of terrorism-funding and fraud, have been denied by the UK due to risks of ill-treatment. The Westminster Magistrates Court also ruled against the extradition of two other defendants, Talip Buyuk and Ali Celik.
Freedom House highlights that Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has grown increasingly authoritarian since coming to power in 2002, consolidating control through the imprisonment of political adversaries and journalists.
Erdogan, however, contends that Turkey has emerged as a significant mediator in regional and global crises, asserting, “Over the past 10 years, Türkiye has become an effective actor in the resolution of crises and conflicts.”
As the international community watches these developments closely, the implications for diplomatic relations and regional stability remain to be fully understood amid ongoing tensions.
