Turkish PM Denies Working with Former US Security Aide

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has denied the country's involvement in an alleged plan with former US security adviser Michael Flynn to kidnap US-based Fetullah Gulen, the leader of Fetullah Terrorist Organization behind last year's coup attempt.


In a televised interview with popular television host Fareed Zakaria on CNN international on Saturday evening, Yildirim said Turkey was expecting the White House to extradite Gulen.

However, "we see that there is no any signal [through] which extradition will be in place," said Yildirim, speaking in English.

When asked if Flynn had given any assurances to Turkey, Yildirim said, "No, we are not dealing with Michael Flynn, we are dealing with the government of United States."

Flynn had publicly supported Gulen's extradition in an op-ed published on The Hill -- a US political website -- on Nov. 8, the US presidential Election Day, according to Zakaria.

Yildirim said the Turkish justice minister was in contact with his US counterpart regarding Turkey's extradition request, Anadolu Agency reported.

"They were in communication. They are still in communication to provide some progress on that matter."
   (Tasnim)
 12/11/17