Turkish state television used harsh words in response to the death of preacher Fethullah Gülen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt. A “traitor, enemy of the republic, and enemy of religion” has died, it stated. Gülen’s relatives confirmed that the 83-year-old preacher had passed away in the United States. On a channel on the platform X, through which his sermons were previously shared, it was stated that Gülen had “spent every moment of his life serving the holy religion of Islam and humanity.”
Tens of thousands of Gülen’s followers and alleged supporters were imprisoned following the failed coup in 2016. The Turkish intelligence service even went so far as to engage in overseas abductions. To this day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rarely gives a speech without invoking the supposed threat of “FETÖ terrorists” to Turkey. Gülen was once a close ally of Erdoğan, but from 2012 onward, they engaged in a bitter power struggle. Since 2015, Turkey has requested Gülen’s extradition from the United States, and the coup attempt a year later continues to strain U.S.-Turkish relations. Erdoğan has repeatedly insinuated that Washington was the real mastermind behind it. Gülen’s death could now resolve one of the contentious points between the two nations.
However, Ankara does not seem inclined to close this painful chapter of Turkish history just yet. Following the announcement of Gülen’s death, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “The fight against terrorism will continue.” Nevertheless, he seemed to extend an olive branch to followers of the movement, saying that Gülen had “deceived thousands of young people in the name of sacred values.” With his death, this “false magic” must end. “I invite them to abandon the treacherous path they have embarked upon.” Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç posted on X, stating that the movement remains a threat to Turkey’s national security, and that legal proceedings and extradition requests against alleged Gülenists would continue with the same resolve.
Turkish media have speculated about possible successors to Gülen and a potential split within the movement. Reports also mentioned an alleged internal memo from Turkish intelligence agency MIT, supposedly based on intercepted communications between leading Gülenists. According to the leaked memo, MIT considers a division of the movement into American and European factions likely and anticipates a fierce internal power struggle. The organization is funded partly through private schools in the U.S. and other countries. In Ankara, there has also been speculation that those who lose in the succession dispute could reveal additional details about the organization.
Gülen managed to place his followers in key positions within the army, police, and judiciary over the decades. Other followers controlled media and businesses. His extensive network initially made him a valuable ally to then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In the early years of his rule, Erdoğan faced military attempts to dismantle his Islamist-oriented Justice and Development Party (AKP). Gülen assisted him by leveraging his influence within the judiciary. Prosecutors allegedly associated with Gülen conducted show trials using apparently fabricated evidence against an alleged “deep state” conspiracy within the military and police.
From 2010 onward, differences emerged between Gülen and Erdoğan, including disputes over relations with Israel. The power struggle became public in 2012 when police officers reportedly linked to the Gülen movement summoned then-intelligence chief and current Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Erdoğan responded by announcing the closure of Gülen’s schools. In retaliation, prosecutors close to Gülen launched corruption investigations against several ministers. A recording of an alleged phone call between Erdoğan and his son Bilal suggested that the prime minister might be involved in corruption. Erdoğan denied the authenticity of the recording. The investigations involved a covert scheme by which Turkey allegedly helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions.
In his speeches and interviews, Gülen portrayed his movement as a harmless group of devout Muslims dedicated to serving society. Many Western observers viewed Gülen as a moderate voice of Islam, and U.S. President Bill Clinton praised his ideas on interfaith dialogue. To counter military suspicion of Gülen-aligned cadets, it is said that in the 1990s, followers even encouraged their wives to attend military pool parties in particularly skimpy bikinis.
Gülen denied involvement in the 2016 coup attempt, accusing Erdoğan of staging the military actions that allegedly resulted in the deaths of 62 police officers and 173 civilians. Speaking to journalists at his Pennsylvania residence, Gülen urged his followers to be patient, saying, “Victory will come.” Many questions about the events of that night remain unanswered, including how early government leaders were informed of the plans of the insurgents. What is clear is that Erdoğan used the situation to consolidate his power. On the night of the coup, he described it as a “gift from God” that would allow him to “cleanse the armed forces.” Erdoğan did not stop there; he declared a state of emergency and launched a witch hunt against suspected movement supporters in all state institutions. Tens of thousands of police officers, judges, and teachers were arrested.
The vacuum was filled by Erdoğan’s new ally, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party. Even in Germany, followers of the Gülen movement were denounced, spied on, or even attacked. The Turkish rule of law suffered so severely that it has yet to recover. Healing can only happen if the current government steps down and an independent investigation is conducted. Turkey needs a serious discussion on how all unlawful religious movements—not just one—pose a threat to democracy.
