Turkish Defense Ministry calls Gülenists to ‘surrender’ after leader’s death

Duvar English

The Turkish National Defense Ministry on Oct. 21 issued a statement following the death of Fethullah Gülen, leader of the Gülen Movement, and stated "Those still captive to this organization and persisting in betraying their nation and homeland should take a lesson from this and surrender without delay."

Gülen was once close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), but their ties were strained in 2013. The government holds Gülen and his movement responsible for orchestrating the failed coup attempt in 2016. 

In its statement, the Defense Ministry said, "The fact that this traitor died as a 'stateless' and will be remembered as such forever may not ease the pain of our citizens harmed by this organization, but it serves as a lesson, showing the inevitable fate of those who betray their country."

Turkish government has designated the network as a terrorist organization abnd named it as "Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ)." In 2017, it was announced that the process to revoke Gülen’s Turkish citizenship had begun, but it remains unclear whether the process was ever completed.

Gülen, who had been listed in the Interior Ministry's "Most Wanted Terrorists List" under the red category with a 20 million liras bounty, was known to have lived on a farm in Pennsylvania, United States (U.S.), since 1999. 

He was accused in Turkey of "establishing an armed religious organization to overthrow the Republic of Turkey." Between 2016 and 2024, Turkey submitted seven extradition requests to the U.S. following the 2016 coup attempt.

With his death, it is expected that Gülen would be removed from the list.