ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Fethullah Gulen has lived in Monroe County for more than a decade at a retreat center near Saylorsburg. On Saturday afternoon, Turkey's president demanded that the United States arrest or extradite Gulen.
The Turkish government blames the Muslim cleric for the failed coup attempt that shocked the world Friday evening. Turkey has long accused him of trying to overthrow the government.
As Turkish officials were calling on the U.S. to kick Gulen out of the country, demonstrators outside the retreat center in the Poconos were demanding the same thing.
An emotional clash broke out between protesters, security guards, and a state trooper outside the Gulen’s residence on Saturday.
As the chaos died down, the Turkish president addressed a crowd in Istanbul, saying that the country cannot be run from a house in Pennsylvania--a reference to Gulen's retreat center on Mount Eaton Road in Saylorsburg where the demonstrators gathered.
“They shoot against Turkish citizens. They shoot against elected government, so we are showing support to our country,” said Hasan Guclu from Delaware.
For years, the man at the center of this controversy has turned down almost every interview request, but following the events in Turkey, he decided to answer questions from reporters.
Through a translator, Gulen denied being involved in the coup attempt and called the accusations insulting.
“We have always done our best to mend and improve relations, but if the source of the break-up, the problem, is turkey, there is not much we can do.”
Gulen also told reporters he believes it is possible the coup was staged.
“Democracy cannot be achieved through military coups. People should not be sympathetic to any coups.”
For years, Gulen has lived in his compound in Saylorsburg, staying out of the media spotlight, but after this week’s events in his home country, that may change.
Gulen's organization in the U.S. includes a network of charter schools that focus on math and science, as well as print and broadcast media.
