Second coup rumour irresponsible, unfounded – Gulen

The United States-based Islamic cleric and philanthropist Fethullah Gulen has denied involvement in an alleged second coup attempt in Turkey. A statement signed by the cleric and released by his office in Abuja yesterday said “such rumours are unfounded and irresponsible.” “Once again, the Turkish media, under government control or government pressure, is circulating horrific […]

The United States-based Islamic cleric and philanthropist Fethullah Gulen has denied involvement in an alleged second coup attempt in Turkey.
A statement signed by the cleric and released by his office in Abuja yesterday said “such rumours are unfounded and irresponsible.”
“Once again, the Turkish media, under government control or government pressure, is circulating horrific rumours, this time about a supposed second coup attempt in the works, supposedly prepared by my sympathizers with the backing of the United States,” he said.
The cleric said “even if elected political leaders persecute me and the participants of Hizmet movement by trampling over fundamental human rights, I never approve their removal through anti-democratic means.
“I strongly condemn the efforts to portray me as the architect of the treacherous July 15 coup attempt.
“I believe that the rumours of a second coup attempt are being circulated in Turkish media deliberately to set a trap against our citizens, and especially against Hizmet participants.”