Turkish ambassador: Sudan closes schools linked to Islamic cleric Gulen

03 August 2016 09:36
Turkish ambassador: Sudan closes schools linked to Islamic cleric Gulen

Sudan decided to close educational institutions associated with Turkish opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of being the mastermind behind a recent military coup, Turkey's Ambassador to Sudan Cemalettin Aydin said Tuesday.

Khartoum - On July 15, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. Over 13,000 people have been detained in connection with the coup, while about 250 people died during the coup attempt. The Turkish government said that Gulen who, Ankara believes, is seeking to overthrow the current government was allegedly linked to a coup attempt.

"Sudanese President [Omar Bashir] issued an order to close all the schools associated with Gulen's organization in Sudan," the ambassador said at a forum in Khartoum devoted to the recent developments in Turkey.

Aydin said that Ankara appreciated Khartoum's solidarity on the issue. He noted that Bashir was one of the few heads of state who made a personal telephone call to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the coup.

The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO)/Parallel State Structure (PDY), made up of Gulen's supporters, is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara. In 2014, Turkey opened an investigation into the organization's activity for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government. Gulen faces charges, including treason, which he denies.

Gulen is said to be the main suspect in the December 17-21, 2013 mass wiretapping investigation that targeted over 7,000 people. 

 

Sputnik
Tue, 02 Aug 2016 22:21 UTC

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