Turkey Coup: Erdo?an Regime ‘Staged’ The Army Coup, President To Denounce The Attempt As ‘Act Of Treason’

Turkey has been under a military coup d’etat, and the forces are demanding for Turkish President Erdo?an to step down. Though the brutal coup has startled the nation, there are speculations that all of these are just “staged” by Erdo?an’s own government.

According to Independent, Turk exile Fethullah Gulen spoke with the Guardian and told them that he does not believe the coup was planned by the masses.

“I don’t believe that the world believes the accusations made by President Erdo?an. There is a possibility that it could be a staged coup and it could be meant for further accusations [against the Gülenists].”

Gulen, now a U.S. citizen, also leads his own movement, Hizmet. Gulen was one of the people who called out the corruption scandal that happened in Turkey back in 2013. Gulen does not trust the Erdo?an government, and he has massive doubts about the surge of the coup.

Gulen added that he knew of a very small “fraction” of Erdo?an’s followers, so he still could not confirm nor deny the possibility of the government’s involvement in the failed coup.

Because of the movement, Gulen said that there are so many reasons why the coup has risen. People could be motivated by different factors that could include the sympathy for the nationalist or the opposition party.

At 70 years of age, Gulen is still considered a big threat to the regime of President Erdo?an. He has been one of the loudest voices of the opposition. Even U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry challenged the Turkish government to provide proof that Gulen has conducted a crime so they could consider his extradition. Even if the coup has succeeded, Gulen said he would never come back to Turkey in the fear or persecution and harassment.

Turning Tables—Gulen Lead The Coup

Meanwhile, the Erdo?an government has decided to appear in Istanbul to denounce the failed coup attempt, according to BBC. The president flew in to announce via live TV that the attempt will be considered as an “act of treason.”

Erdo?an also noted that the people behind the attempt “will pay a heavy price for their treason to Turkey.”

Even though he is many miles away from Turkey, Erdo?an still pointed his finger to Gulen. Erdo?an believes it was Gulen who lead and organized the failed coup. With all these allegations, Fethullah Gulen has denied everything.

Gulen even issued a statement via the Alliance of Shared Values, a U.S. affiliate of Hizmet, saying he did not partake in the planning of the coup.

“I condemn in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey. Government should be won through a process of free and fair elections, not force. I pray to God for Turkey, for Turkish citizens and for all those currently in Turkey that this situation is resolved peacefully and quickly,” he said.

“As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt. I categorically deny such accusations.”

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim noted that the situation is now under control. The military has already shot down the aircraft used by the coup supporters.

About 60 people died during the overnight coup. There were also 754 military personnel who were arrested.

Military Chief of Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar is still missing and he is being hunted by the government.

There were already soldiers surrendering to Erdo?an, but there are still sporadic gunfire in other cities.

[Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images]