Exiled religious leader Fethullah Gulen dies at 83: Turkish Government pledges to continue fight against his movement
PENNSYLVANIA, U.S. — Fethullah Gulen, the controversial cleric and former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, passed away at the age of 83 in a US hospital on 20 October. Gulen fled to Pennsylvania in 1999 after facing legal action in Turkey, where his movement, once known as the “Service Movement,” was rebranded as the “Fethullah Terrorist Movement” following a 2013 corruption scandal involving members of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Before the scandal, Gulen’s movement had reached its peak during the first 12 years of AKP rule, holding significant influence within Turkey’s police forces, government institutions, and economy. However, from 17–25 December 2013, corruption allegations against Erdogan, his family, and four government ministers triggered a political crisis. The ministers resigned, and a crackdown on Gulen supporters ensued.
In 2014, the Turkish National Security Council officially declared the existence of a terrorist organization allegedly led by Gulen. After the failed coup attempt in 2016, the Turkish government accused the Gulen movement of orchestrating the plot, further escalating tensions. Turkey repeatedly demanded Gulen’s extradition from the US.
Commenting on Gulen’s death, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “The head of the shadowy organization has died, but the war against his ideas will continue.”