Turkey warns Kazakhstan over schools linked to Turkish cleric Gulen
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 July 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkey warns Kazakhstan over schools linked to Turkish cleric Gulen, 29 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db998e4.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 29, 2016
Turkey's ambassador to Kazakhstan has warned the Central Asian nation over its schools linked to Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric whom Turkey accuses of being behind a failed coup attempt earlier this month.
Ambassador Nevzat Uyanik raised the issue of "Kazakhstani-Turkish schools" believed to be run by foundations loyal to the 75-year-old Gulen's ideas, saying Ankara does not support them.
"These schools have no relationship to Turkey's official state organs whatsoever," Uyanik told a news conference in the Kazakh capital of Astana on July 29.
He called the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey "a warning to other countries," adding that "we are sure that the relevant bodies will start taking the necessary measures."
Cooperation "is not only in the interests of Turkey, these questions touch on the interests of Kazakhstan too," he said.
The ambassador was speaking after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on July 28 warned that followers of the controversial cleric could stage a coup in Kazakhstan's neighbour Kyrgyzstan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his former ally Gulen, who has a wide following in Turkey, masterminded the July 15 coup attempt.
Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, denies the charges.
Based on reporting by AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
