The U.S. isn’t considering extraditing a dissident Muslim cleric sought by Turkey, President Trump said Saturday.
“It’s not under consideration,” Mr. Trump told reporters.
The Turkish government is seeking the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a foe of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Mr. Erdogan accuses Mr. Gulen of masterminding a failed coup against him in 2016.
Mr. Gulen lives in Pennsylvania and is a permanent legal resident of the U.S. He denies Turkey’s accusations.
A news report surfaced earlier this week that the administration had examined options for extraditing Mr. Gulen.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. is “always looking” to help Turkey, especially after it returned American pastor Andrew Brunson, who had been held in Turkey for nearly two years.
“We’re having a very good moment with Turkey,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “I get along very, very well with the president, he’s a friend of mine. He’s a strong man, he’s a tough man, and he’s a smart man.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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