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Turkey blames Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for Russian envoy’s killing

A prosecutor says Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the Poconos, is behind the 2016 killing of Russia's ambassador to Turkey.

Fethullah Gulen, cleric that Turkey blames for the coup, has said he is not worried the U.S. will send him back
Fethullah Gulen, cleric that Turkey blames for the coup, has said he is not worried the U.S. will send him backRead moreJEREMY ROEBUCK / File Photograph (custom credit)
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s state-run news agency says a prosecutor has concluded that a network led by a U.S.-based Muslim cleric is behind the 2016 killing of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey and is seeking prison terms for the preacher and 27 others.

Anadolu Agency said Friday that the prosecutor's indictment accuses Fethullah Gulen and others of terror charges.

An off-duty police officer fatally shot Ambassador Andrei Karlov at a photo exhibition in Ankara on Dec. 19, 2016. The officer was later shot dead at the scene by police.

The prosecutor maintains that Gulen's movement — which is also accused of masterminding the failed coup in 2016 — aimed to derail relations between Turkey and Russia.

A court must accept the indictment before a trial date is set.

Gulen denies involvement in the coup.