The Turkish public broadcaster TRT reported today that Fethullah Gülen, the U.S.-based cleric and leader of the Hizmet movement, has passed away at the age of 83. Gülen, who was accused by Ankara of masterminding the failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, reportedly died in a U.S. hospital last night.
According to TRT and various sources close to the Hizmet movement on social media, Gülen had been receiving treatment before his passing. The news was also picked up by the Turkish news outlet NTV and other local media.
Gülen’s affiliated website Herkul, which is banned in Turkey, confirmed his death as well.
Gülen had been living in Pennsylvania since 1999, after fleeing Turkey. In 2017, the Turkish government revoked his citizenship and repeatedly called on the U.S. to extradite him.
Once an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Gülen became his fiercest adversary after being accused of orchestrating the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, which left over 240 people dead. In the aftermath, Turkish authorities arrested tens of thousands of his followers. Gülen consistently denied any involvement in the coup.