Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey says was behind 2016 failed coup, has died

Ankara

Turkish Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara says was behind a 2016 failed coup, has died in the United States where he was based, the news agency Reuters reported on Monday (Oct 21) citing state media. He was 83 at the time of his death.

Gulen built a powerful Islamic movement in Turkey and beyond but spent his later years accused of orchestrating an attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusations which he denied.

Herkul, a website which publishes Gulen's sermons, said on its X account that Gulen died on Sunday evening in the hospital where he was being treated.

A former ally of Erdogan

Gulen was a one-time ally of Erdogan but they fell out spectacularly, and Erdogan held him responsible for the 2016 attempted coup in which rogue soldiers commandeered warplanes, tanks and helicopters. 

Around 250 people were killed in the bid to seize power. 

Gulen's movement - known as "Hizmet" which means "service" in Turkish - seeks to spread a moderate brand of Islam that promotes Western-style education, free markets and interfaith communication.

Since the failed coup, his movement has been systematically dismantled in Turkey and its influence has declined internationally.

Soon after the coup, President Erdogan described Gulen's network as traitors and "like a cancer", vowing to root them out wherever they are. 

Gulen denied he was behind coup

Gulen denied that he was behind the coup.

"As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt," he said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)