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From US, Turkey seeks extradition of 84 people linked to exiled cleric Gulen, permanent exemption from Iranian oil sanctions

EXILED TURKISH CLERIC, FETHULLAH GULEN HAD DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE 2016 COUP.

Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu has presented a series of requests to US administration officials, which include extradition of people linked to Turkey’s exiled cleric, Fethullah Gulen and a permanent exemption from US sanctions for importing Iranian oil, AP reported.

At a news conference at the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington, Cavusoglu said he had given Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton a list of 84 people tied to Gulen whom Ankara wants extradited to face charges related to a failed coup that took place in 2016, the report stated.

Gulen has denied any involvement, according to the report.

Cavusoglu provided no indication as to the reaction to the list from. However, he said he was pleased that the US was looking at Turkey’s request, the reprot said.

In the past, the country has sought Gulen’s extradition but to no avail. Cavusoglu said he had raised Turkey’s request to make permanent a temporary waiver of US sanctions it was granted earlier this month to allow it to continue to import Iranian oil without penalty, in addition to the request for extradition.

He said a permanent waiver is necessary because Turkey could not make up for a loss in Iranian oil purchases.

“We cannot diversify further,” he said.

Earlier in November, the US re-imposed economic sanctions on Iran that had been lifted earlier under the Obama leadership’s JCPOA act. Trump had withdrawn from the act in May.

The sanctions also include countries and companies that are in repetitive business Iranian firms.

The US also granted waivers to eight nations for providing them more time to reduce their imports of Iranian oil.

Cavusoglu said Turkey could not and would not halt all imports from Iran.

After meeting Cavusoglu, Pompeo said U.S. relations with the country had improved since the release of jailed American pastor Andrew Brunson in October.

Pompeo said he had welcomed “positive momentum in our relationship following the release of Pastor Brunson and urged reopening additional channels to address issues of mutual concern.”

 

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