Turkey Issues Arrest Warrant for Erdogan Rival Fethullah Gulen

Gulen, who heads Hizmet, an influential spiritual and social movement, has denied the allegations. Last week, Erdogan vowed to crush the “evil forces” associated with the movement and its leader.

“We are not just faced with a simple network, but one which is a pawn of evil forces at home and abroad,” the president declared last Friday.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu indicated last week that Ankara may ask Interpol for a “red notice”— a document necessary for the extradition and arrest of a suspect located abroad — for Gulen.

“The judiciary will do whatever is necessary in the investigation of Fethullah Gülen. Whether it is a red notice or something else. He will not be treated differently than any other Turkish citizen,” Davutoglu said during a press conference, Daily Sabah reported.

Earlier this year, Erdogan announced that he would be seeking Gulen’s extradition. However, according to international law, an arrest warrant and evidence against the cleric first had to be produced.

Gulen has repeatedly been accused of attempting to form a “parallel state.” He was tried and found guilty in 2000, before being acquitted of all charges in 2008.