Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, has died in exile in the United States at the age of 83. Gulen had lived in Pennsylvania since 1999, where he led the Hizmet movement, once responsible for operating thousands of schools across Turkey and around the world.
Once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two became adversaries in 2013, and by 2016, Erdogan accused Gulen of masterminding the failed coup attempt that left around 250 people dead. The Turkish government dubbed Gulen’s network the “Fethullah Terror Organisation” (FETO), accusing his supporters within the military of trying to overthrow the government.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, confirmed Gulen’s death, stating, “The leader of this dark organisation has died,” and vowing that Turkey would continue its fight against Gulen’s “terrorist organisation” and its followers.
Gulen was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 2017 and remained a controversial figure in Turkey, widely disliked for his alleged role in the coup and the behind-the-scenes influence of his movement. The main opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, commented, “We had wanted him to be held accountable in Turkey… we need to be on guard against this insidious organisation.”
Gulen’s death in a U.S. hospital was confirmed by his nephew and a website close to him.