US law professor: Gülen extradition would be unlawful

Law Professor Seval Yildirim
Law Professor Seval Yildirim


Date posted: December 26, 2014

ORHAN AKKURT / NEW YORK

Seval Yıldırım, a professor of law at Whittier Law School, said in a statement to Today’s Zaman on Wednesday that for the US to extradite Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen without a formal case against him would be an infringement of US law.

Yıldırım said, “Even if there is a formal request, this request would have to be finalized according to the ‘Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters’ treaty signed in 1979 between Turkey and the US and has been in force since 1981.”

The First İstanbul Penal Court of Peace decided there was “sufficient tangible evidence” and agreed to issue an arrest warrant for Gülen, a Turkish Islamic preacher who advocates a moderate Islam rooted in modern life. The move is a prelude to a formal request for Gülen’s extradition from the US, where he has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999.

Noting that there has been no formal investigation opened against Gülen, Yıldırım went on to say: “If Gülen was to be extradited without a formal investigation against him, it would be against the law. It would be an infringement of US law.”

Criticizing recent developments in Turkey, which critics believe to have undermined civil liberties and the rule of law, Yıldırım mentioned that in democracies, voters have to trust the people they appoint to lead them, going on to say, “The law is the only thing that can call corrupt politicians to account between elections.”

Yıldırım underlined that any and all members of the administration who have been incriminated in corruption investigations must be relieved from their duties, at least until the judiciary reaches a verdict on the matter.

Corruption investigations made public on Dec. 17 and 25, 2013, revealed the biggest corruption and bribery scandal in the history of the republic. Members of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government as well as family members of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were implicated in the investigations.

Erdoğan has since portrayed the corruption investigations as an attempted “judicial coup” orchestrated by Gülen and the Hizmet movement, a social movement that follows Gülen’s teachings and is known for its cultural and educational activities.

Gülen, whose teachings have inspired millions of people around the world to forge a wide community active in publishing, charity and education, has denied all the charges.

Thomas: Perpetrators of illegal acts must pay price

Chantal Thomas, a professor of law at Cornell University Law School, also spoke to Today’s Zaman, saying that government members involved in illegality must be identified and made to pay the price for their actions.

Underlining that in order for members of the government to face the courts strong political will must be shown, Thomas said. “Politicians sometimes are able to receive support for their totally illegal actions, especially if the notion of what is happening is understood as common good,” she explained.

Professor Frymer: Reassignment of police and judiciary undemocratic

Associate professor of political science at Princeton University Paul Frymer said the removal of police and members of the judiciary by way of reassignment after the graft investigations went public in December 2013 was not democratic.

Stating that incidents such as corruption and bribery are important tests of resistance for elite politicians and the mainstream mindset in a society, Frymer said all types of democracies face these kinds of tests.

Underlining that the reaction of the population towards incidents of corruption and unlawfulness is proportional to the amount of closure a politician gives these matters, Frymer said in his statement to Today’s Zaman, “The most critical point here is the combating of corruption by opposition parties, and of course the existence of independent media.”

Source: CIHAN , December 24, 2014


Related News

A Turkish coup, a family torn apart, a dramatic escape on foot: ‘Can you believe the things we went through?’

She could stay in Turkey where she might end up imprisoned, at risk of torture and sexual assault, and separated from her young children. Or she could take them on a dangerous journey, with no guarantee of survival.

Being a Non-Muslim During Ramadan

The end of July marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan and fasting for Muslims across the globe. As we reflect on the closing of this sacred time, it is important to think about the role we play during this time, especially for non-Muslims. I have been raised Christian, and to say that Christians observe anything similar to Ramadan would be a stretch.

Fethullah Gülen in Indonesia

Gülen is a unique scholar whose knowledge, thought and actions inspire many intellectuals, scholars and academics around the globe. Yet some unfortunate people in Turkey are trying desperately to defame him. By doing so, they put themselves into an absurd position.

2,500 schools confiscated, 30,000 teachers dismissed over Gülen links

Turkish Education Ministry Undersecretary Yusuf Tekin on Sunday said they have completed a purge of Gülen movement members and institutions in his ministry, the DHA news agency reported.

Turkey calls on parents to report Erdogan critics at German schools

Turkish consulates in Germany have been organizing events for Turkish parents and asking them to spy on critics of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey at German schools, according to an education trade union, GEW (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft).

Arrested After Giving Birth: Turkey’s Post-coup Crackdown Reportedly Hits Maternity Wards

Following the abortive putsch on July 15 2016, allegations of unfair trials, using torture in prisons and holding suspects without trial have been made against Erdogan’s government. And now, it has been alleged that Turkey is arresting women accused of links to the Gülen movement immediately after they give birth.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

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

In Case You Missed It

Turkey’s Plans to Abolish Private Tutoring Centers Arrests Free Enterprise and Democracy

Erdoğan gov’t threatened to ‘wipe TUSKON off market map,’ says chairman

Fethullah Gulen’s statement on World Press Freedom Day

Symposium concludes: Hizmet movement contributes to world peace

Saylorsburg cleric sends statement to Muslim-Catholic conference

Fethullah Gulen’s Message on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

University preparatory courses and the Hizmet movement in Turkey

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News