Fethullah Gulen, Turkish cleric accused in 2016 coup attempt, dies at 83 in US
Gulen established a powerful Islamic movement both within and outside Turkey. However, he spent his final years accused of masterminding a coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – allegations he consistently denied.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish media outlets have reported the death of Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish religious leader accused of orchestrating Turkey's 2016 coup attempt, at his residence in the United States. He was 83 years old.
Gulen established a powerful Islamic movement both within and outside Turkey. However, he spent his final years accused of masterminding a coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – allegations he consistently denied.
Born in Turkey in 1941, Gulen relocated to the United States in 1999, settling in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where he lived a largely reclusive life. Despite rarely giving media interviews or public statements, his movement attracted widespread support across Turkish society and internationally, managing investments worth billions of dollars.
Once a close ally of Erdogan, the relationship between the two men deteriorated when Erdogan began perceiving Gulen's movement as a threat, accusing it of attempting to establish a parallel state structure within Turkey.
Gulen initially supported Erdogan during his early years in power from 2003 before their alliance crumbled.
He founded the "Hizmet" (Service) movement, which expanded its influence through media outlets, journalism, and establishing schools across Africa and Asia, while also strengthening its presence within Turkish society, particularly in administration.
Since late 2013, the Turkish government has conducted a widespread crackdown, arresting military leaders, dismissing police officers and judiciary members, and closing numerous schools affiliated with Gulen's Hizmet movement.
This marks the end of an era for a figure who played a significant role in modern Turkish history, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to influence Turkish politics and society.