US Cannot ‘Suspend’ Constitution for Gulen Extradition – Ex-Prosecutor


Date posted: August 26, 2016

The US government cannot violate the country’s Constitution by detaining and extraditing Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen without probable cause simply to appease Turkey, former US Assistant States Attorney Nick Akerman told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier this week, Turkish officials admitted Ankara had yet to provide the United States with evidence linking Gulen to the July 15 military coup. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that refusal to extradite Gulen would not help US-Turkish relations.

“You can’t suspend the constitution,” Akerman said on Friday. “The US government’s domestic legal constitutional requirements do take priority over fear of displeasing Turkey.”

The US Department of Justice, Akerman added, must provide clear documentation that shows there is good reason to believe Gulen is guilty of crime before shipping him overseas at Ankara’s behest. The former Watergate prosecutor also noted that it would be atypical to arrest Gulen while the extradition case was under review.

“It would be pretty unusual to detain somebody while it [Justice Department] examines and investigates, unless there is an indictment that has been issued and that there is probable cause that the person committed an extraditable crime,” Akerman explained.

On Tuesday, the US Department of State confirmed that Turkey had formally submitted a request to extradite Gulen that was based on grounds unrelated to the July 15 military coup attempt. Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country on July 15, which was suppressed the next day. Ankara believes that Gulen and his supporters were seeking to overthrow the current government. Gulen, who has been living in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the allegations and condemned the attempted coup.

Source: Spitnik , August 27, 2016

Tags: | | | | |


Related News

Turkish business suffers under Erdogan’s post-coup Gulen purge

Critics of the ruling AKP expect it to sell Gulen-linked companies to government allies in the business world at a large discount. In mid-October the AKP-linked Metro Holding applied to the TMSF to acquire all of Koza Ipek Holding’s shares. Akin Ipek, the fugitive former owner of the conglomerate, asked on Twitter how Koza Ipek’s $600 million in cash and $20 billion in mining assets could be acquired by a comparatively unimpressive entity. Metro Holding’s capital comes to just over $95 million.

Torture appeared widespread after Turkey coup: UN expert

Measures taken in Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt created an “environment conducive to torture”, and ill treatment appears to have been widespread immediately after the failed putsch, UN special rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer said told reporters in Ankara. “Some recently passed legislation and statutory decrees created an environment conducive to torture,” he said.

Erdoğan raising new army of political Islamists

Gülen had to take a stand, not seeking power for himself at his advanced age, but to protect the fundamental teachings of Islam that emphasize humility, moderation, justice, accountability and transparency in governance.

Gülen asked government to be more careful on the language they use: Deputy PM Arınç

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen asked the Turkish government to be more careful in regional and international issues during his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said May 22 in an interview with public broadcaster TRT. Arınç had meeting with Gülen, who lives in a self-imposed exiled in Pennsylvania, on the sidelines of Prime Minister Recep […]

Powerful but reclusive Turkish cleric (BBC Interviews Fethullah Gulen)

Speaking to the BBC’s Newshour, Fethullah Gulen said: “It is not possible for these judges and prosecutors to receive orders from me.” Fethullah Gulen has been called Turkey’s second most powerful man. He is also a recluse, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US.

America’s first Islamic university starts academic journey

The first university to be founded by Muslims to teach Islamic studies in the United States has started its new academic year, promising to be a leading institution in educating future scholars, including imams.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Cartoonists put Refugees’ Plight on Canvas

Fethullah Gulen’s Message for International Day of Peace

On the mysterious deportations of Turkish teachers

Fethullah Gülen calls for ‘bridges of peace’ in Eid al-Fitr remarks

A Catholic Priest’s Letter to Fethullah Gülen

Fethullah Gulen and Gulen Movement discussed in New York

Elizabeth Munisoglu on Hizmet Movement

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News