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Posted: 2016-07-17 00:26:00

Dozens of detained soldiers have been transferred to a sports hall in Turkey's capital Ankara after Friday night's coup attempt. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

FETHULLAH Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in self-imposed exile in the United States, says he has no involvement in an attempted coup in Turkey — saying it was “possible” the coup was staged by the Turkish President.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Gulen of being behind Friday’s bloody coup attempt that has killed at least 265 people, and urged the United States to extradite to Turkey the “man who lives in Pennsylvania.”

“I don’t know who my followers are,” Gulen told The New York Times from his compound, when asked if any of his backers were involved in the coup attempt. “Since I do not know these individuals, I cannot speak of their potential involvement.”

During a rare interview with TheNew York Times Gulen — who promotes a mystical form of Islam with staunch advocacy of democracy, education, science and interfaith dialogue — said it was “possible” the coup was staged by Erdogan.

“Some leaders stage ... false suicide attacks to strengthen their hand, such people may come up with such scenarios. As a believer, I cannot make false accusations,” he said.

Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would assist Turkey in the investigation of the failed coup and invited Ankara to share any evidence it had against Gulen.

It comes as thousands took to the streets of Istanbul in support of the Government.

Almost 3000 soldiers have been arrested and 2700 judges sacked as the recriminations begin following Turkey’s failed coup.

Turkish authorities detained one of the military’s top generals and a member of the nation’s highest court, General Adem Huduti.

At least 265 people were killed and 1440 wounded after explosions and gunfire erupted in Ankara, Istanbul, as coup plotters tried to oust the Government.

While more than 100 coup plotters are dead, eight Turkish military personnel sought asylum in Greece

“They were in Istanbul with the order to transport the wounded. They didn’t know what was happening exactly,” Greek lawyer Ilia Marinaki told reporters. “On Saturday morning, when policemen started shooting against them, they decided to leave.”

The US issued a no-fly zone for American planes over Turkey until further notice.

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