Erdogan Tayyip urges the US to extradite Fethullah Gulen, in exchange of American Christian missionary Andrew Brunson

World News Nilgun Salim
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President Tayyip Erdogan suggested Thursday that Turkey would be willing to release the American pastor detained on its territory if America accepts to extradite Fethullah Gulen.

Turkey has repeatedly asked for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, one of the president’s former allies, accused of plotting a coup d’etat to overthrow Erdogan’s government in July 2016.

Following the failed coup attempt, 250 people were killed, while Gulen has denied any involvement.

The unstable political situation followed by the failed coup led Erdogan to impose an aggressive policy which involved the arrest of thousands of people, including the American Christian missionary Andrew Brunson who served in a church from Izmir.

The arrest of Brunson occurred in October, after he was accused of being one of Gulen’s supporters.

In reply, the United States claimed the release of their citizen, claiming the accusations are false.

During a speech in front of hi police officers, somehow, Erdogan seemed to link the stories of the two clerics.

“You will give us the pastor, and then we will try to give back yours (Brunson)”, stated Erdogan Tayyip quoting Reuters.

“The pastor we have is judged. Yours is not – he lives in Pennsylvania. You can easily extradite him. You can extradite him immediately, “added the Turkish president.

A decree issued in August allowed Erdogan to approve the exchange of foreigners detained or convicted in Turkey with other people arrested in other countries.