US VP admits 'concrete evidence' on Gülen involvement submitted by Turkey

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden admitted that Ankara provided "concrete evidence" on Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) leader Fethullah Gülen showing that he masterminded the recent coup attempt in Turkey, according to Turkey's justice minister on Thursday. Bekir Bozdağ, who is accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on a visit to New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly meetings, made his remarks as he answered journalists' questions.

"We have enough information, documents and proof that show Fethullah Gülen is the leader of this terror group that tried to make a coup," Bozdağ said, referring to FETÖ, which Ankara implicates in the coup attempt. "Mr. Biden also accepted and stated that there was concrete evidence," he said.

Bozdağ said Turkey expects the U.S. to take the necessary "second step" and temporarily arrest Gülen.

"We hope that it won't be delayed and happen at short notice," Bozdağ said. "We requested a temporary arrest of Gülen because of the July 15 coup bid and him being the mastermind behind it. He is a terrorist that conducted this coup bid from Pennsylvania."

Ankara maintains that the overthrow attempt was organized by followers of Gülen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and FETÖ.

Gülen is also accused of leading a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.