An Istanbul state security court abolished Monday an arrest warrant for the leader of one of Turkey's most powerful Muslim orders on charges of criminal activities, Anatolia news agency reported.
The warrant for Fethullah Gulen, 63, issued by an Ankara state security court earlier this month, came amid a probe against him for suspected violation of laws prohibiting attempts to undermine Turkey's secular order.
But the Istanbul court annulled the warrant after re-evaluating the 12 files in the case upon a request by Gulen's lawyers, Anatolia said without elaborating on the reason behind the decision.
The prosecutor dealing with the case, however, said the decision was erroneous.
"In any case, we will file a lawsuit (against Gulen) as soon as possible," Nuh Mete Yuksel said, according to Anatolia.
Gulen, who has been receiving medical treatment in the United States for more than a year, is the head of the most influential branch of the Nur or "Light" sect.
Gulen's brotherhood, generally considered a moderate Islamic group, runs several hundred schools and five universities in Turkey, Central Asia and the Middle East. It also owns a large media group and several financial enterprises in Turkey.
The investigation was launched after a Turkish TV station broadcast in June a tape of Gulen addressing "our friends in the judiciary and public administration," in which he allegedly called on his followers to undermine the state and work for a religious order.
"Work patiently at taking control of the state. Do not make mistakes," Gulen was quoted as saying.
In a statement from the US Gulen called the tape a forgery and "a plot by gangs and communists."
The Islamist leader has maintained close relations with businessmen, civil servants, politicians and journalists, and was received by Pope John Paul II last year.
Even left-wing Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, a devoted defender of secularism, has praised Gulen's schools as a contribution to Turkey's promotion abroad.
Following the initial arrest warrant for Gulen, Ecevit said he did not want to meddle into the justice, but expressed his "personal" regret at the decision.
Ecevit's stance came under fire from the press, which accused him of having double standards at a time when he pushed unsuccessfully for the adoption of a decree aimed at firing public servants deemed to have links with subversive Islamist and Kurdish movements -- ANKARA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
