He died in America, but... FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen is still 'officially' alive

Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) ringleader Fetullah Gülen passed away in the US on October 20, 2024. However, according to a report by Yeni Şafak, despite months having passed since Gülen's death, the death information has not yet been entered into official records in Turkey.

For this reason, Gülen is still seen as "alive" in the system in Turkey.

NO OFFICIAL APPLICATION MADE

According to the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, for the death information of Turkish citizens who pass away abroad to be entered into official records, the death certificate issued by local authorities must be submitted to consulates. Based on this document, the death information is entered into the population records.

Since no document regarding Gülen's death has been submitted to Turkish foreign missions, the death record has not been entered into the family registry in Turkey. Thus, the FETÖ ringleader continues to appear as "alive" in the Turkish official system.

HOW IS A DEATH ABROAD REPORTED?

When a Turkish citizen dies abroad, two official paths can be followed:

The death is reported to Turkish consulates along with a document issued by the official authorities of the relevant country. The consulate transfers this document to the population system.

If no notification has been made to the consulates, the foreign official document regarding the person's death is translated into Turkish and submitted to the district population directorate with a notary or consulate approval. In this case, the directorate issues a death certificate and processes it into the family registry.

FETÖ MEMBERS DID NOT REPORT

It has emerged that after Gülen's death, FETÖ members did not make any attempt to carry out official procedures in Turkey. This situation not only causes confusion in population records but also prevents the initiation of legal processes.

The official registration of Fetullah Gülen's death in Turkey will pave the way for legal processes for many people, especially the families of those martyred in the July 15 coup attempt, veterans, and victims of conspiracy cases.