Turkey
A Presbyterian pastor languishes in a Turkish prison
By Sandra Jolley — January 11, 2018
(RNS) — It is reprehensible that Turkey chose to arrest an American Christian cleric who for more than two decades was fulfilling his religious duties by serving his congregants and others in need.
Cleric says he would not flee US to avoid extradition to Turkey
By guest — July 11, 2017
(Reuters) — Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkey of instigating last year's failed coup, says he would accept extradition if Washington agrees to a request by Ankara to hand him over.
Evangelicals hail Trump’s request for release of US pastor in Turkey
By Adelle M. Banks — May 17, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) 'Not only were we able to make the President and Vice President aware that this was a priority of ours, we were pleased that they shared our concern and acted upon it,' said Johnnie Moore, an advocate for persecuted Christians.
Turkish-financed mosques in Europe allegedly spying for Erdogan
By Tom Heneghan — April 19, 2017
PARIS (RNS) European lawmakers are calling for tighter restrictions on the mosques, which critics say keep diaspora Turks from fully integrating.
Europe headed for ‘religion wars’ despite Wilders’ stumble, Turkish minister says
By Reuters — March 16, 2017
ANKARA (Reuters) 'There is no difference between the mindsets of Geert Wilders and social democrats in the Netherlands. ... That mindset is taking Europe to the cliff. Soon wars of religion may and will start in Europe,' Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
Turkey post-coup crackdown also targets US Protestants
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 4, 2016
ISTANBUL (RNS) Analysts say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has been targeting American Christians in retaliation for United States’ failure to extradite cleric Fethullah Gulen, as demanded by the Turkish government.
Cleric Gulen says he is certain Erdogan behind failed Turkey coup
By Yonat Shimron — September 29, 2016
BERLIN (Reuters) Gulen said the coup gave Erdogan the opportunity to dismiss thousands of perceived opponents in ministries, the military, police and judiciary authorities.
As Gulen movement contracts in Africa, worry over who will fill the vacuum
By Lauren Markoe — August 30, 2016
(RNS) At Turkey's request, some African governments are closing Gulen-affiliated schools.
Turkey’s leader says US has ‘no excuse’ to keep imam blamed for coup
By RNS staff — August 24, 2016
(RNS) The Turkish government has long said it wants the imam extradited. Now the request is official.
Foreign minister: Turkey to ready dossier for Gulen extradition in 10 days
By RNS staff — July 23, 2016
ISTANBUL (Reuters) Turkey expects to complete within a week to 10 days a dossier requesting the extradition from the United States of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding a failed coup.
Turkey removes 492 state religious personnel after failed coup
By RNS staff — July 19, 2016
ANKARA (Reuters) Turkey has removed 492 staff from duty at its top Islamic authority for suspected involvement in the failed July 15 military coup.
US-based Turkish cleric says he’d accept extradition
By Jerome Socolovsky — July 17, 2016
ISTANBUL -- Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States is willing to help Turkey as it tries to identify those involved in the coup attempt.
US-based cleric denies role in Turkey coup attempt
By RNS staff — July 16, 2016
ISTANBUL -- U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen denies accusations he played a role in the attempted coup in Turkey and said he condemned "in the strongest terms" the attempt to topple the government.
Shy Russian student a suspect in Istanbul attack
By RNS staff — July 12, 2016
IKON-KHALK, Russia -- When Rahim Bulgarov graduated from college in southern Russia with a diploma in tourism, his teacher expected him to go on to further study, or fulfill his dream of opening a car repair shop.
Vatican hits back at Turkey for calling pope ‘crusader’
By RNS staff — June 26, 2016
(Reuters) The Vatican hit back on Sunday (June 26) at Turkey's depiction of Pope Francis as having a 'crusader mentality' after he used the word genocide to describe the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago.
