Gülen’s lawyers refute justice minister’s statement likening Gülen to Iran’s Khomeini

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ claimed on Wednesday that Gülen would have returned to Turkey like Khomeini, who returned to Iran from France in 1979, if the corruption probes in December 2013 had caused the downfall of the AK Party. (Photo: DHA)
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ claimed on Wednesday that Gülen would have returned to Turkey like Khomeini, who returned to Iran from France in 1979, if the corruption probes in December 2013 had caused the downfall of the AK Party. (Photo: DHA)


Date posted: January 28, 2015

Lawyers for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen have said via Twitter that Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ should have provided proof to back up his statement that Gülen planned to return from the US to Turkey in a similar way to Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Reacting to statements by Bozdağ on Wednesday saying Gülen would have returned to Turkey like Khomeini, who returned to Iran from France in 1979, if the corruption probes in December 2013 had caused the downfall of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, an account run by the Islamic scholar’s lawyers tweeted that the allegations of the justice minister have been denied several times by Gülen himself.

AK Party circles and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have accused the Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement, and its sympathizers in the state bureaucracy of planning to overthrow the AK Party government since a huge corruption scandal erupted on Dec. 17, 2013 that implicated key government members, Erdoğan and his family. Erdoğan also accused Gülen of creating turmoil in Turkey and claimed that the Gülen-inspired Hizmet movement is working against the AK Party.

In a confirmation of the existence of a witch hunt by the government, which it has been pursuing against the Gülen movement since December 2013, Bozdağ said in his statement on Wednesday that “new Turkey has stopped that transformation with [the anti-Gülen operations instituted after] Dec. 17, 2013.”

Erdoğan has called the investigation, which led to the resignation of three government ministers and the dismissal of a fourth, a “coup attempt,” and in response he has had thousands of police officers, judges and prosecutors removed from their posts.

Gülen’s lawyers’ tweets also said Bozdağ, as an accuser, is responsible for proving his allegations that Gülen will return like Khomeini. The lawyers noted that the accusations of the AK Party circles against Gülen and the Gülen movement are an attempt to cover up the accusations against the AK Party. “The statement of the minister is irresponsible,” the lawyers wrote.

In a speech on the website www.herkul.org given on June 25, 2008, Islamic scholar Gülen, referring to claims in parts of the media that said “Gülen will return to Turkey like Khomeini [returned to Iran],” said he could not be Khomeini as he was not an Iranian [i.e., does not share the views of Iranians]. “I am a child of this nation. Those who compare me to Khomeini will feel ashamed one day,” he said. Gülen said he would return as Fethullah Gülen when he returns to Turkey.

Source: Today's Zaman , January 28, 2015


Related News

Cemevi next to mosque embraced by residents in Malatya

Since the groundbreaking ceremony of the first ever joint mosque-cemevi (Alevi place of worship) culture center was held in Ankara on Sept. 8, there has been an ongoing debate on the presence of joint religious centers, with Cihan news agency reporting on Monday of a site in Malatya’s Doğanyol district that has a mosque and […]

Erdoğan…a factionist PM?

Now that the prime minister is battling a corruption scandal for which he is blaming the Hizmet movement, his new victims are Fethullah Gülen’s followers, who he calls “traitors.”

Erzurum people call Minister Ala to apologize Gülen for his remarks

Gülen is highly respected both in Turkey and in many countries around the world for educational activities he has pioneered, along with his efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the globe. He is in self-imposed exile in the US, though there is no legal hurdle that prevents him from returning to Turkey.

Sakarya court orders stay of execution on closure of Fatih Koleji

The Sakarya Administrative Court on Friday issued a stay of execution on the closure decision for Fatih Koleji, a Hizmet-affiliated school that has been running in the Beyköy district of Düzce province, saying that the school is allowed to continue to operate in the 2014-2015 education period.

Fethullah Gulen’s Message on the Anniversary of the Coup Attempt in Turkey

Saturday is a sad moment in Turkish history as it marks one year since the deplorable coup attempt that resulted in the death of hundreds and injuries of thousands. On this occasion I reiterate my condemnation of the despicable putsch and its perpetrators, and extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this horrible tragedy.

State discrimination against Hizmet movement sympathizers

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is aiming to take all steps to finish off Hizmet movement sympathizers by any means. Discrimination is one of these steps. Discrimination is a human rights violation. I would like to share five of my personal experiences, of many more, to show what kind of discrimination is being committed against the movement’s sympathizers.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Erdogan’s purges reach heart of Europe as Gulenists in Germany say they are being spied on

Turkish Olympiad finals held all around the globe in prestigious venues in a variety of cities

Turkey as a “serial” human rights derogator

Turkish experience in Sudan: making a difference

Turkish imam in Copenhagen says embassy spied on 4 people, 14 schools

They want my backing for the enrollment in Turkish schools

GYV praised for response to accusations about Hizmet movement

Copyright 2024 Hizmet News