Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 23-10-2024

Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric who lived in self-imposed exile in the United States before his recent death, was accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Gulen passed away at the age of 83.

Although the exact cause of death has not been revealed, it was widely known that his health had been declining in recent years. Since 1999, Gulen had lived in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, residing on a compound owned by the Golden Generation Foundation, a US-based nonprofit linked to his followers.

Even though Gulen had stepped back from public life in his later years, he continued to issue statements advocating for education, peaceful activism, and dialogue. However, his image in Turkey became increasingly controversial as he was accused by the government of running a criminal network that had infiltrated key state institutions.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed Gulen’s death and, during a press conference, described him as the leader of a “dark organisation.” Fidan added that the nation’s commitment to combating terrorism remains unwavering, stating that Gulen’s death would not affect their resolve.

 Early Years

Gulen first gained recognition in the 1960s as a preacher in the western Turkish province of Izmir. It was here that he established a network of boarding houses known as “lighthouses,” which provided academic support to students.

Over time, Gulen expanded his influence by founding numerous schools, charities, and civil society organisations. His followers would eventually open over 1,000 schools across 160 countries.

Although these schools were not explicitly religious, they provided high-quality education, with many of their graduates rising to important positions in Turkey’s judiciary, police, and bureaucracy. Gulen’s supporters further expanded their influence by founding the Zaman newspaper in 1986 and Samanyolu Television in 1993. In 1996, the establishment of Bank Asya deepened their financial reach.

Relocation to the United States

In 1999, Gulen left Turkey and moved to the US, where he would remain for the rest of his life. While his supporters claimed his move was due to health concerns, his detractors argued that he was escaping an investigation by the Turkish government. The following year, he was convicted in absentia for conspiring to overthrow the government by embedding his followers within state institutions. This conviction would later be cited as evidence during the investigation into the 2016 coup attempt.

 Friends and Enemies

In the early 2000s, Gulen and his movement were aligned with President Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), working together to counter the secular elite’s dominance within Turkey’s military and judiciary. As a result, many of Gulen’s followers attained key positions in the state.

However, signs of tension began to emerge between the two groups in the early 2000s. These tensions reached a breaking point in 2013 when police officers and prosecutors linked to Gulen launched corruption investigations targeting high-ranking AKP officials and Erdogan’s inner circle. Erdogan accused Gulen of orchestrating the scandal as part of an attempt to establish a “parallel state” through his network of supporters within Turkey’s institutions. Gulen denied these allegations.

 The 2016 Coup Attempt

In 2016, Gulen was once again accused by Erdogan of being behind the failed coup attempt on July 16. During this event, factions within Turkey’s military sought to overthrow Erdogan’s government and replace it with a body called the Council for Peace at Home. The coup attempt resulted in hundreds of deaths and is considered one of the most violent in Turkey’s modern history.

In the aftermath, the Turkish government initiated widespread purges of suspected Gulen sympathisers in the military, judiciary, and other government sectors, branding his movement as FETO (Fethullah Terrorist Organisation). Despite Turkey’s repeated attempts to extradite Gulen, US officials cited insufficient evidence directly linking him to the coup, and no extradition was granted.

The failed coup and subsequent purges signalled the end of an era for Gulen’s movement. Schools and charities affiliated with him were shut down in Turkey, and many of his supporters were imprisoned or forced to flee the country. Internationally, the movement continued operating but with reduced visibility, particularly in countries where the Turkish government had successfully pressured local authorities to close Gulen-affiliated institutions.

In the US, some of the charter schools linked to Gulen faced investigations for visa violations and allegations of defrauding the US Treasury of up to $4 billion.

Fethullah Gulen remained unmarried throughout his life.