Erdogan Renews Call for Extradition of Coup Suspects

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call for the extradition of individuals linked to a failed coup attempt that took place in the country a decade ago. In a statement, Erdogan appealed to the UK and other NATO allies to return suspects to Turkey to face trial, claiming that some countries are ‘covertly providing support’ and ‘harbouring its members’. The 2016 coup attempt resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and injured 2,200, with rogue soldiers commandeering warplanes, helicopters, and tanks to take control of institutions and overthrow Erdogan’s government.

Ankara has since detained hundreds of thousands of people over suspected links to the coup, blaming supporters of former Erdogan ally Fetullah Gulen and designating the wider movement as ‘the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO)’. However, British courts have previously rejected extradition appeals from Turkey, citing concerns that those accused of involvement in the coup face ill-treatment back in Turkey, where political rights and civil liberties have declined under Erdogan. The UK does not recognise the Gulenist movement as a terror group, and the movement itself denies involvement in the coup.

Erdogan’s comments come as Turkey faces criticism from its NATO partners over its human rights record, with the country ranked 159th for press freedom. President Erdogan insisted: ‘The fight against terrorism, in which international cooperation is essential, retains its prominent place on our foreign policy agenda. As is well known, the process of internal disintegration within FETO’s overseas network has accelerated over the past two years.’ He added: ’That said, we are aware that some countries are covertly providing support to this organisation and are harbouring its members.

I would like to take this opportunity to underscore the necessity of maintaining vigilance against FETO, which considers all means permissible to achieve its ambitions, adopts every possible guise, and does not hesitate to exploit every concept, including democracy, freedom, and human rights.’ The Turkish government has voiced frustration at years of failed attempts to extradite individuals linked to the Gulen movement from the UK, EU, and US, with Justice Minister Akin Gurlek renewing the push with fresh extradition requests ahead of the 10th anniversary of the coup. The UK has previously rejected extradition requests, including that of exiled businessman Akin Ipek, who faced terrorism-funding, fraud, and other charges in Turkey. Westminster Magistrates Court also ruled that two other defendants should not be extradited, citing concerns over their potential treatment in Turkey.

Erdogan’s government has been accused of becoming increasingly authoritarian over the past decade, with Freedom House claiming that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has consolidated power by imprisoning political opponents and journalists. However, Erdogan has rejected these claims, arguing that Turkey has become an important mediator in the resolution of crises in the region and wider world. Over the past 10 years, Turkey has emerged as an effective actor in the resolution of crises and conflicts at both regional and global levels, guided by an enterprising foreign policy approach.

Turkey is now regarded as a country whose contribution is sought, whose word carries weight, and who is consulted on regional and global matters.