Fethullah Gulen: Controversial Preacher Dies in Exile

Turkish Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of leading a failed 2016 coup, has died in the U.S. at 83. Gulen, once an ally of Erdogan, denied involvement in the coup. He had been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999.

Fethullah Gulen, the influential Turkish preacher implicated in orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, has passed away in the United States at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by Turkish media and an online platform linked to Gulen.

Gulen, known for establishing a robust Islamic movement both in Turkey and internationally, spent his later years in America denying allegations of his involvement in the attempted coup against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Herkul, a site known for publishing Gulen's sermons, confirmed his death on Sunday evening via their X account.

Once a close associate of Erdogan, Gulen became labeled as a public enemy when Erdogan accused him of masterminding the coup where approximately 250 people lost their lives. After the fallout, Gulen resided in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999.

(With inputs from agencies.)