Red notice likely to be issued against Gülen, says Erdoğan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that there could be a red notice issued against the controversial U.S based imam Fethullah Gülen, during a speech he made at the 69th U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Milliyet Daily reported on Wednesday.

Erdoğan arrived in New York on Monday to attend the assembly for the first time as head of state. Speaking at CFR, Erdoğan assessed regional and global developments that have been occupying both Turkey's and world's agenda. Noting that some media outlets in the US are under the influence of the 'parallel structure', Erdoğan stated he hoped the Turkish and US governments would cooperate in the struggle against the Gülen movement which he underlined is a threat to both governments.

Erdoğan said that some media outlets and think tanks in the U.S. are adversely affected by the smear campaign of the Gülen Movement, which is accused of orchestrating the Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 operations implicating government officials in corruption.

"There could be a red notice issued against Gülen", Erdoğan was quoted as saying.

Reiterating the partnership between the U.S. and Turkey, Erdoğan said that he told U.S. President Barack Obama, "Just like we deliver the terrorists you request, you either deport [Gülen] or send him back to [Turkey]."

The movement in question led by Fethullah Gülen has over 140 private schools and charity organizations around the world including the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa. It has been accused of infiltrating state institutions to gain control of state mechanisms, illegal wiretapping, forgery of official documents and spying. During the recent NATO summit, Erdoğan requested from Obama that Gülen be deported or sent back to Turkey.

Erdoğan reportedly also conveyed complaints about the issue to Obama and said he did not yet receive a response as he expected.

"Turkey makes things easier for America over the matter of extraditing criminals. US does not make it as easy for Turkey though." Erdoğan added.

Erdoğan, responding to the questions of reporters, also denied ever saying Obama turned down his request to extradite controversial Gülen during his speech.

The head of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Richard Haass, following a speech Erdoğan delivered during a session closed to the press, shared a message via his Twitter account, claiming, Erdoğan in his speech said his demand to extradite Gülen was rejected by Obama.

Erdoğan, however denied ever making such a statement.