Two top U.S. intelligence bodies are being accused in an indictment of providing training to followers of the alleged mastermind behind the failed coup in Turkey, state-run Anadolu Agency said Thursday.
"The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided training in several subjects to the cadre belonging to the Gulen movement," the indictment was quoted as saying.
It was referring to Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric based in the United States. The Turkish government has been accusing Gulen and his followers in the military of orchestrating the coup bid.
Ankara has demanded that the U.S. extradite Gulen, but Washington insists on "concrete evidence" linking Gulen to the July 15 coup attempt as a precondition for his extradition.
Turkish authorities said at least 290 people died in the coup, including more than 100 "coup plotters."
Prepared by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the Second Heavy Penal Court, the indictment said the operations carried out by prosecutors and security officials during the Dec. 17 process can be taken as a good example.
The "Dec. 17 process" refers to the corruption probe launched on Dec. 17, 2013, which targeted senior government officials and led to a rivalry between Gulen and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Some in Turkey, including government ministers, have referred time and again to U.S. involvement in the failed coup, despite vehement denial from Washington.
"This attempt aimed to weaken the state with all its institutions by getting rid of the government completely," the indictment said. "Those in the Gulen movement who work in the judicial and security institutions and who received the aforementioned training, took on this task and moved into action."
