Turkey sends diplomatic note to Germany over possible sighting of main coup attempt suspect Öksüz

Turkey sent a diplomatic note to Germany on Aug. 16 over Adil Öksüz, a runaway suspect thought to be the civilian leader of the Gülen movement in the Air Force, following reports that he was seen in Germany, according to diplomatic sources. 

Adil Öksüz, a theology professor charged by the Turkish authorities with being an influential figure within the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), is also said to be among the masterminds of the July 2016 coup attempt.    
   
Öksüz was arrested in Turkey on the morning of July 16, 2016 but was subsequently released and has since disappeared.        

A senior Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Turkey delivered a diplomatic note to Germany over the weekend, asking whether claims made in various Turkish newspapers last week were true.        

Several newspapers claimed Öksüz had been seen in the German cities of Frankfurt and Ulm in February this year by a number of Turkish residents.    
   
Ankara has informed the German authorities that Öksüz is one of the prime suspects of the July 15 defeated coup attempt and an international fugitive.    
   
The Turkish side has demanded the German authorities investigate the claims made in recent media reports and, if these are proven to be true, take the necessary measures to arrest Öksüz and send him to Turkey for trial.        

Germany Foreign Ministry sources confirmed Turkey's diplomatic action but they said the ministry had no information so far to indicate Öksüz was in Germany.