Erdogan presses Kyrgyzstan for action against Gulen group

Kyrgyz-Turkish Yssykkul Girls' High School, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz-Turkish Yssykkul Girls' High School, Kyrgyzstan.


Date posted: April 11, 2018

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged Kyrgyzstan to take stronger action against the group blamed for a failed 2016 coup, as new President Sooronbai Jeenbekov visited Ankara in a bid to ease tense ties.

Relations between Ankara and Bishkek had often been strained under the rule of Jeenbekov’s predecessor Almazbek Atambayev, whom Turkey accused of failing to take tough action against the group of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Turkey accuses Gulen of masterminding the abortive coup and leading a terror group called the [FETO], charges he denies.

Gulen’s group had built up huge influence in Turkey but also abroad — notably in Africa, the Balkans and Turkic Central Asian states like Kyrgyzstan — in particular through an education network.

“We made clear our expectations from Kyrgyzstan in the fight against FETO,” Erdogan said after talks with Jeenbekov at his presidential palace.

He reaffirmed Turkey’s past warnings that Gulen’s group was capable of launching similar actions against Kyrgyzstan as it had in Turkey in July 2016.

“It is such an organisation that it has the character to do the same to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow what it did to us today,” said Erdogan.

“I believe (the Kyrgyz president) will act more shrewdly and take the needed measures more rapidly,” added Erdogan.

Alluding to the tensions under Atambayev, he added: “I believe my dear brother’s visit will contribute to opening a new page in Turkish-Kyrgyz relations.”

Jeenbekov, who was the chosen successor of Atambayev, took office late last year after winning presidential elections in the first round.

At the time of the coup bid, Turkish media said a Gulen-linked foundation ran 28 schools in Kyrgyzstan, from primary schools to a university.

Ankara then angered Bishkek by saying Gulen supporters had infiltrated its institutions and could carry out a coup there.

Almost two years after the failed coup bid, Turkey is still pressing a crackdown to eradicate Gulen’s influence, not just at home but abroad.

In March, five teachers and a doctor, all Turkish nationals alleged to be Gulenists, were flown back to Turkey from Kosovo in a covert operation by Turkish intelligence and the Kosovo interior ministry.


Related News

Kyrgyz President Atambayev: Ankara should not threaten us with coup

Kyrgyz president: Those calling Turkish teachers terrorists should see a doctor

Kyrgyz President Atambayev: Sebat Turkish schools won’t be shut down

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Atambayev: I support Turkish schools with all my heart

Turkish Schools in Kyrgyzstan Celebrated 20th Anniversary

 

Source: France 24 , April 9, 2018


Related News

Morocco and Turkish schools

Sait Gürsoy I recently went to Morocco, as an Anafen Schools guest with a group of journalists. The aim was to monitor educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Under the leadership of my beloved brothers -the schools’ vice general managers, Ismail Efe and Yasin Yucel- we not only had a nice touristic tour […]

Greece Warned Turkey Hours before the 2016 Coup Attempt

Former military chief and defence minister Evangelos Apostolakis says Greece warned Turkey hours before the 2016 coup attempt after receiving information about plan.

Political Activism for Peaceful Coexistence in Rumi and Gulen

In Gulen’s view -as strongly emphasized by Rumi more than seven centuries ago- action is an inseparable aspect of tasawwuf, and Muslims should be actively involved in the community, share their experience with others, strive to help others and bring peace to the global village.

The Alliance for Shared Values Statement on Ankara Attacks

The Alliance for Shared Values deplores the bombing attacks perpetrated against peaceful protesters today in Ankara. We are deeply saddened by the increasing number of losses and injuries and offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims. It is now more important than ever that we do not fall prey to the pernicious intentions behind these attacks.

Taraf, Baransu file criminal complaint against PM Erdoğan

The Taraf daily and journalist Mehmet Baransu have filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over charges of involvement in an “attempt to influence a fair trial,” slander and insult. The daily and Baransu also filed a TL 50,000 compensation case against PM Erdoğan for non-pecuniary damages.

Van NGOs: Calling Hizmet movement ‘virus’ and ‘hashhashin’ unnaceptable

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in the eastern province of Van said in a press conference that the tension experienced in Turkey recently has ruined the country and that any remarks or behavior against the Hizmet movement will not be tolerated.

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

Albania: Erdoğan given appropriate response to ‘political’ request on Turkish schools

Turkey seizes another baklava maker over coup charges, appoints deputy governor as caretaker

Int’l Festival of Language and Culture takes stage at European Parliament

Hizmet from the Heart

A Year Ago Today: Teacher Gökhan Açıkkollu died of torture on his 13th day in police custody

Turkey deserves a civilian constitution – Cemal Yigit

Kimse Yok Mu lends helping hand to 3,000 orphans in 4 countries

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News