“It is not possible for us to accept that there is still not any progress on this issue,” Turkey’s justice minister told journalists in Washington, referring to Ankara’s extradition request for Fethullah Gülen, an US-based Islamic cleric who is accused of masterminding a 2016 coup attempt.
Although Gülen and his followers strongly deny any involvement, the Turkish government launched a post-coup crackdown targeting them while insisting that its foreign allies extradite Gülenists to Turkey.
The US has several times asked for more evidence of the 78-year-old cleric’s involvement with the failed coup in response to Ankara’s insistent requests.
Speaking to reporters at the Turkish ambassador’s residence, Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül said given international conventions and agreements the US and Turkey have signed, some steps should have been taken by now, according to the Hürriyet Daily News.
The minister said more evidence on Gülen was submitted to the relevant authorities.
“We want the extradition to take place and the demands of Turkish judicial authorities to be met,” Gül said, adding that Turkey is closely monitoring the process.
Earlier, Gül met with US Attorney General William Barr, saying the two men had a “productive” meeting and congratulated his American counterpart on his new post.
The meeting tackled boosting judicial cooperation between the two countries, he said on Twitter.
He told reporters he hoped the meeting would “yield good results.”