Turkey recently provided the United States with documents showing evidence that members of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) have acquired land and property in Canada and FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen could flee there.
Ankara sent Washington credible evidence that the terrorist group has been carrying out its activities in Canada, where terrorist leader Gülen could flee. After the Trump administration asked Ankara about any evidence that could support the claims, the government fulfilled their request.
Documents of land titles were included in the information provided to the Trump administration. According to the government, some Gülenist Turkish citizens have recently bought land and property in Canada. The reason behind Gülen's possible escape to Canada was reportedly due to the fact that there is no extradition treaty between Turkey and Canada.
Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the intelligence about the terror group's leader was received and conveyed to the U.S. administration.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ last week said the government had intelligence reports suggesting that members of FETÖ have purchased ranches in different locations in Canada, in the case of a possible U.S. decision to extradite Gülen.
The government put pressure on former U.S. President Barack Obama regarding Gülen's extradition, but, the Obama administration remained largely indifferent to Ankara's request.
Gülen, the mastermind behind the failed July 15 coup attempt, has a long record of a controversial campaigning to overthrow the Turkish government by infiltrating state institutions, the judiciary and security forces, and has lived in self-imposed exile on a 400-acre property in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania since 1999.
Turkey officially submitted evidence to the U.S. back in October 2016 regarding Gülen's network that formed a quasi-state within the Turkish state. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ even traveled to the U.S. and met with his U.S. counterpart Attorney General Loretta Lynch, on Oct. 26, in efforts to expedite Gülen's extradition.
Ankara still expects the U.S. to temporarily detain Gülen, lest he flees to another country. Washington has yet to fulfill the request.
