This is how Turkish dailies covered death of ringleader Fetullah Gulen

The death of the leader of the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO) was widely reported in the Turkish press.

Tuesday’s newspaper headlines focused on past conspiracies orchestrated by the terrorist group, the lives it claimed and the harm it caused to the country.

Prominent headlines across Turkish media included: “The Traitor is Dead,” “Condolences to the CIA,” “The Demon is Dead,” “The Traitor’s Exemplary End,” and “The Traitor Died in His Patron’s Lap.”

Cumhuriyet, a Turkish newspaper also emphasized, “The danger has not passed,” reflecting Turkish officials’ warnings that FETO members are still actively engaged in harmful activities.

On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was the first to officially announce the death of FETO leader Fetullah Gulen. He stated, “This news will not lead us to complacency. This group has been a unique threat, deceiving and recruiting our youth, turning them into machines that betray their values.”

The term “traitor” has frequently been used to describe Gulen, who died at the age of 83 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania on Monday. Türkiye has been seeking his extradition since 2016, following FETO’s failed coup attempt. But who was Fetullah Gulen?

Who was Fetullah Gulen?

Before the failed coup and the subsequent widespread crackdown, Gulen and FETO were accused of running a shadow government, having infiltrated key state institutions, including the military and judiciary.

His past statements made long before 2016, hinted that Gulen intended to use his influence in the military to stage a coup against Türkiye’s civilian government.

Gulen and his followers, however, have claimed that their organization was merely a social movement focused on promoting education and interfaith dialogue.