The US is studying the motivations of a Turkish request to extradite preacher Fethullah Gulen, the US state department said Thursday, Deutsche Welle reported.
NBC News earlier reported that the White House was attempting to deport Gulen, despite reportedly holding permanent residency, to reduce pressure on its ally Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told AFP news agency it rejected that report. "We have received multiple requests from the Turkish government... related to Mr Gulen," Nauert said. "We continue to evaluate the material that the Turkish government presents requesting his extradition."
She said there was no relation between those extradition requests and the Turkish backlash to continued American support of Saudi Arabia. The White House "has not been involved in any discussions related to the extradition of Fetullah Gulen," she said.