Erdogan's Arch-Nemesis Fethullah Gülen Dead

Fethullah Gülen has died at the age of 83. The US-based preacher from Turkey has often been described as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's archenemy.

» Published: October 21 2024

Erdogan's Arch-Nemesis Fethullah Gülen Dead
Photo: Chris Post/AP/TT

The death, which was first reported in Turkish media, was confirmed by Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at a press conference, according to AFP.

Gülen, who was said to have had health problems for a long time, is reported to have died from an unspecified heart and cardiovascular disease, according to government-friendly Daily Sabah.

Predikant Fethullah Gülen was previously Erdogan's ally and helped his AK party to victory in three elections, but was later accused of trying to overthrow the president and build "a state within a state".

The president claims that Gülen – who had been living in the USA since 1999 – was behind the attempt to carry out a coup in Turkey in 2016. Turkey demanded his extradition, which the USA refused. In 2017, he was stripped of his Turkish citizenship, according to AFP.

Gülen denied the accusations throughout, but Turkey has cracked down hard on anyone who can be linked to him. The so-called Gülen movement has been classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, and hundreds of thousands of people accused of being affiliated with the movement have been imprisoned or fired from their jobs.

Over 250 people were killed during the coup attempt in 2016, and many more were injured. Many were civilians who got caught in the crossfire between the rebels and loyal security forces. Exactly how the coup was planned and who was behind it is still unclear.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After
1 MIN READ

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After Arena Massacre Sentence

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed
1 MIN READ

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed Dead in Ukraine Conflict

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's
1 MIN READ

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's Remarks on Greenland Visit

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen
2 MIN READ

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen Targeting Houthi-Controlled Areas

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites
1 MIN READ

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites Kennedy's Misinformation

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in
1 MIN READ

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in Ongoing Clashes with Indian Forces

Greenland's Jørgen Boassen Faces Backlash,
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Jørgen Boassen Faces Backlash, Supports US Ties

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK
2 MIN READ

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK Military Documents in Trash Bag

Rescue Efforts Intensify After Myanmar
2 MIN READ

Rescue Efforts Intensify After Myanmar Earthquake Leaves Thousands Trapped

Columbia University President Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Columbia University President Steps Down After Funding Agreement

Utah Enacts Ban on Rainbow
1 MIN READ

Utah Enacts Ban on Rainbow Flags in Schools and Government Buildings

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Attack on Dnipro Leaves Four Dead, Many Injured

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US
1 MIN READ

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US of Airstrikes on Sanaa

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in
1 MIN READ

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in Christian Quarters After Protests

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Open to Peace Talks with Russia, Excluding Putin

South Sudan's Vice President Riek
1 MIN READ

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Placed Under House Arrest

Trump and Canada's Carney Report
2 MIN READ

Trump and Canada's Carney Report Productive Talks on US-Canada Relations

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains from Russian Conflict

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of Denmark Unfair During Greenland Visit

Greenland's New Government Aims for
2 MIN READ

Greenland's New Government Aims for Stability and Unity

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on
1 MIN READ

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on Camera in 30 Seconds

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with
2 MIN READ

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with US Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes on Beirut After Ceasefire Breach

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles in War-Torn Nation

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact
1 MIN READ

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact After Myanmar Earthquake

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy
1 MIN READ

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy Sites as Ceasefire Talks Falter

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake
3 MIN READ

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake Fears as City Grapples with Aftershocks

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in
1 MIN READ

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in Turkey, Sparking Outcry

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead,
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead, Thousands Feared Lost

US Vice President Visits Greenland
2 MIN READ

US Vice President Visits Greenland Base as Tensions Simmer

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest
3 MIN READ

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest as Trump Sparks Debate

US VP Visit to Greenland
2 MIN READ

US VP Visit to Greenland Base Sparks Tension and Uncertainty

Canada's New PM Carney Declares
1 MIN READ

Canada's New PM Carney Declares Shift in US Relations

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money
1 MIN READ

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money Laundering Fetches 108 Million

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression
1 MIN READ

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression Towards Guyana

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked
1 MIN READ

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked Chat on Yemen Discussions

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation
1 MIN READ

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation Due to Treatment Side Effects

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear
1 MIN READ

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear Energy Letter via Oman

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape
1 MIN READ

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape Cases in Kortrijk Bars

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to
1 MIN READ

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to Boost Defense Recruitment