Gulen accuses Erdogan of launching defamation campaign against Hizmet movement

PENNSYLVANIA - Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric, has accused the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of launching a 'nefarious' defamation campaign against him "failed to convince the world of his baseless allegations against innocent Hizmet participants."

In an exclusive message published in Hizmet News, Gulen accused that despite the ongoing crackdown on civil society, Erdogan's government’s latest strategy, "bolstered by a strictly controlled Turkish press, is to spread vicious, false rumours alleging violence to come by members of the Hizmet movement."

"This is not a new strategy, dictatorships throughout history have always used such tactics to smear the groups that they have targeted as scapegoats."

Gulen who was accused by Erdogan of plotting a failed coup last y r, said that the initial efforts of Erdogan started back in 2013 when the government called a corruption probe into public officials a “judicial coup.”

"Erdogan’s administration has completely subjugated the Turkish judiciary since then and turned it into a political instrument of the ruling party. Thousands of members of the security and judiciary were purged and arrested. Last year, the government took advantage of the deplorable July 15 coup attempt to further silence its critics and consolidate more power in Erdogan’s hands. After blaming Hizmet sympathizers for being behind the incident - without any investigation - Erdogan jailed tens of thousands of civilians including journalists, academics, and members of the judiciary. According to official records, the imprisoned include 17,000 women and more than 600 children who continue to live in prison with their mothers."

He claimed that news reports from 'whistleblowers' show that the administration has made plans for a series of assassinations. "They have proven once again that they are willing to use any means necessary, no matter how illegal and immoral, to present themselves as the victims and their critics as criminals. Unfortunately, due to Erdogan’s total control over the security forces, the judiciary and the appeal courts, it is impossible to hope for an independent investigation or a fair trial in today’s Turkey."

"Since the 1990s, when the movement began growing globally, it has gained recognition by various countries around the world that have been observing closely."

Gulen said that prior to the public corruption probe of 2013, Erdogan and the leaders of his party could not find enough words to praise the efforts of Hizmet sympathizers. "His defamation efforts since 2014 are fooling no one and only demonstrate the extent to which he is willing to go to scapegoat this peaceful movement for his personal political ambitions."

He reiterated that engaging in any form of violence is against the core ideals of this movement. He said he has condemned all forms of violence countless times and would firmly stand against any form of violence in the future. "The volunteers of this movement have once again proven through their dignified demeanour that they are devoted to peace-building despite the injustice and persecution directed against them."

"I also condemn President Erdogan’s reckless and immoral efforts to defame this peaceful movement that has dedicated itself to universal humanitarian values. I trust in the wisdom and fairness of world leaders to recognize this defamation campaign for what it is."