(5 Aug 2016) As the Turkish government expresses increased frustration over perceived foot-dragging by the United States over a Turkish demand that US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen be returned to Turkey to face trial, lawyers representing Gulen made their case to reporters on Friday in Washington.
Turkey accuses Gulen, a former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt by renegade officers in Turkey's military.
Gulen's attorney Reid Weingarten said the "complexity and absurdity" of conspiracy allegations against his clients have increased since the coup.
Weingarten said Turkey has yet to provide evidence supporting their claims to Gulen.
Turkey has designated the Gulen movement, which runs charities, schools and businesses across the world, as a terrorist organisation and has launched a widespread crackdown on suspected members since the failed coup.
Gulen has denied involvement or prior knowledge of the violent coup attempt that left more than 270 people dead.
Washington, for its part, has asked for evidence of the cleric's involvement, and has said the extradition process must be allowed to take its course.
Turkey on Thursday issued a warrant for Gulen's arrest for ordering the failed coup, a move seen as a prelude to a formal extradition request.
Since the coup attempt, nearly 70,000 people suspected of links to Gulen have been suspended or dismissed from jobs in the civil service, judiciary, education, health care and the military.
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