Top US diplomat to visit Turkey amid strained relations

ANKARA, Turkey — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to arrive in Turkey this month, Turkey’s foreign minister said Friday, amid strained relations with Washington over the possible extradition of a Muslim cleric accused of being behind an attempted military coup last month.

The Turkish government has expressed growing annoyance with what it regards as a lack of solidarity from international allies in the aftermath of the failed coup, as well as increased frustration over perceived foot-dragging by the United States over a Turkish demand that U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen be returned to Turkey to face trial.

In New York, Taha Ozhan, chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission who is leading a delegation to brief U.S. officials on the failed coup, said “Gulen orchestrated the coup” and continued to pose threat to Turkey.

[...] Gulen’s U.S. lawyers expressed confidence that he will not be extradited, saying the Turkish government doesn’t have any evidence against their client that would satisfy the U.S. legal system.