Türkiye confirms death of FETO leader Fetullah Gulen UPDATED

Turkish intelligence has officially confirmed the death of Fetullah Gulen, the leader of the FETO terror organization, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

"Our intelligence sources confirm the demise of the FETO organization's chief," Fidan stated during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Ankara, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

Gulen had been residing in Pennsylvania, USA, where Turkish authorities had long sought his extradition; however, US judicial officials did not grant the request.

He was the mastermind behind the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which resulted in the deaths of 252 individuals and injuries to 2,734 others.

Ankara accuses FETO of orchestrating a protracted campaign aimed at destabilizing the state by infiltrating key Turkish institutions, including the military, police, and judiciary.

"The leader of this nefarious organization is dead," Fidan asserted, emphasizing Türkiye's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism.

"This group has represented a unique threat in our nation's history, deceiving thousands of our youth under the guise of sacred values and transforming them into agents who betray their own homeland and principles."

Fidan further stated that such individuals are exploited by foreign intelligence agencies as instruments against their own countries and values.

"With this death, the hold over them should now be broken. I urge them to forsake the treacherous path they have chosen and to cease their actions against their state and nation," the Turkish diplomat remarked.

"This is not a righteous path, and its conclusion will not be favorable. Our nation and state will persist in their struggle against all terrorist organizations, including this one. They should recognize the need to turn back while there is still time."

10:12

Fethullah Gulen, the leader of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), has reportedly died in Pennsylvania, the US, according to media outlets affiliated with the organization.

Gulen, who had been residing in the US for many years, was allegedly admitted to a hospital before his death, Caliber.Az reports, citing Türkiye Today.

The news of his passing was confirmed by Herkul, a website closely associated with FETO. On their social media platform X (formerly Twitter), they announced, “Today (October 20), Fethullah Gulen has passed away.”

Reports indicate that Gulen had been experiencing severe health issues in recent years, including kidney failure, diabetes, and dementia. He was last seen on October 12, 2024, leaving his residence in a car after being evacuated from his farm in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, where he had lived since 1999.

The Fethullah Terrorist Organization, or FETO, is considered an illegal entity that aims to establish a new political, economic, and social order by exploiting religion. The group, led by Gulen, has been linked to various criminal activities, including blackmail, espionage, and money laundering.

FETO is distinct from other terrorist organizations due to its clandestine operations and longstanding efforts to infiltrate various Turkish institutions, including the judiciary and military. Since the 1960s, the organization has conducted its activities in secrecy, masking its illegal agenda behind a facade of legality.

Türkiye, strategically located at the crossroads of continents, religions, and cultures, has faced numerous threats from various terrorist organizations. Unlike more overt terrorist groups, FETO has maintained a low profile while pursuing its goals, making it a unique and persistent threat to national security.

By Khagan Isayev