He commands legions of "abi" (brothers - point men working for him), but Fetullah Gülen, the head of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) is the real "big brother" when it comes to surveillance. In his Golden Generation retreat in Pennsylvania, U.S., cameras are everywhere, from the pathway leading to his bedroom, to the thick trees around the sprawling compound.
Sabah newspaper gained access to exclusive photos of the security camera room in the town of Saylorsburg and revealed how concerned this "humble cleric," as his followers call him, is in terms of security, especially after the July 15 coup attempt his followers carried out in Turkey last year. FETÖ's infiltrators in the military are accused of executing the coup bid masterminded by Adil Öksüz, a "civilian" FETÖ member directly answering to Gülen, and killing 249 people opposing the putsch attempt.
Turkey seeks Gülen's extradition from the U.S. where he has lived since 1999 in a self-imposed exile while Washington remains reluctant on the process.
The compound, run by a FETÖ-linked foundation, is equipped with 36 security cameras and few people are allowed in the quarters where Gülen spends his days. Though he occasionally receives visitors, mostly fugitive FETÖ members wanted by Turkey, only four people are allowed into the security camera room. No cellphones are allowed once inside the room where it is possible to see almost every spot inside and outside the compound. A security camera points at the door of Gülen's bedroom, which is next to the room of Cevdet Türkyolu, his right-hand man. Armed security guards hired by a private security company are posted at the entrance of the compound while a helicopter regularly patrols the airspace above the place. Turkish guards are also deployed around the compound.
A large room where Gülen hosts his visitors are fitted with multiple cameras while Gülen's bedroom has a large screen showing footage from 36 cameras around the clock.
Cellphones and electronic devices are strictly forbidden for visitors who leave them at a checkpoint at the entrance. Visitors are also strictly forbidden to take photos of the place.
