by WorldTribune Staff, August 21, 2016

U.S. officials will travel to Ankara to discuss Turkey’s allegations that U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind the July 15 failed coup attempt.

While declining to give a date for the visit, a U.S. Justice Department official confirmed “that a delegation (with) representatives of the Department of Justice and State will visit Turkey … and have offered to consult with the Turkish government” on the Gulen matter.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded the U.S. extradite Gulen and suggested refusal to repatriate the cleric for trial would seriously strain ties between the two NATO allies.

Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, denies any involvement in the coup attempt, which has led to large-scale purges of the military, civil service, judiciary and academia.

  July 15 coup attempt, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.S. officials ‘to consult’ with Turkey on Gulen coup investigation, WorldTribune.com