Egyptian MP asks his gov’t to grant Fethullah Gulen asylum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has said that he has no information about reports of the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen having asked for asylum in his country as an Egyptian parliamentarian urges Cairo to consider his request.

In a press conference held at the prime minister’s headquarters on Wednesday Sherif said that no concrete information about Gulen’s request was available and went on to say that if there was such a thing, it will be studied first.

Imad Mahrous, a member of the Egyptian House of Representatives, requested that the prime minister and foreign minister grant Gulen political asylum.

“Gulen and his supporters are subjected to harassment and severe repression. The Turkish regime is seeking to arrest him and put him on trial, charging him for the failed coup attempt,” Mahrous told al-Arabiya news agency.

Mahrous continued to say, “Gulen’s charity investment and projects are also targeted in Turkey.”

Mahrous who has announced himself in charge of Gulen’s case said the request is personal and he is only concerned about Gulen’s safety.

The Egyptian MP has asked for the reception of all those who are at the risk of being arrested by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the wake of the failed coup attempt, arguing that Egypt has previously accepted opposition parties and welcome opponents politicians.

Gulen has denied the Turkish government’s allegation that he orchestrated the failed coup attempt in mid-July and claims that Erdogan is using it as an excuse to further consolidate power.

“Not only does Mr. Erdogan’s suggestion run afoul of everything I believe in, it is also irresponsible and wrong,” Gulen wrote in an op-ed in the New York Times.

Erdogan, however, claims that Gulen’s supporters were behind the coup attempt. Turkish security and police forces have consequently rounded up thousands of suspects in the military and government institutions and called on the US to extradite Gulen.