U.S. State Department declines to comment on coup mastermind Gulen’s death
FETO, the group behind the defeated 2016 coup in Türkiye, and its US-based ringleader, Fetullah Gulen, is seen in a car leaving his new home after being evacuated from his farm in Pennsylvania, where he has been living since 1999, in April in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, US, October 12, 2024.
(AA Photo)
The U.S. State Department declined to comment Monday on the death of Fetullah Gulen, the ringleader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), who died at the age of 83 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pennsylvania.
Deputy spokesman Vedant Patel, responding to a question from an Anadolu reporter, said, “I wouldn’t comment on matters involving private individuals living in the United States. So I’ve seen those reports but don’t have anything to offer.”
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also responded to inquiries, stating, “nothing at this time” when asked for details about Gulen’s death.
Gulen, a controversial figure long sought for extradition by Turkish authorities, had been living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania. His death was confirmed by Turkish intelligence, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday. According to reports, Gulen’s body was moved to the hospital morgue, which remains off-limits to the public.
Footage obtained by Anadolu shows room 251 of St. Luke’s Hospital, where Gulen had been staying prior to his death. The room had been recently vacated and cleaned, according to hospital staff, who added that visitors had been present to monitor his treatment in the days before his passing.
Gulen was accused by Turkish officials of orchestrating the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which resulted in the deaths of 252 people and left 2,734 injured. The Turkish government also accuses FETO of a prolonged effort to infiltrate Turkish institutions, including the military, police, and judiciary, with the intent to overthrow the state.
