Presiding Judge Huseyin Eken said that further information was needed and that they had therefore decided to ask the Foreign Ministry why Gulen had gone abroad.

Gulen, who is believed to be living in the United States, has a large following among Turks, who preaches tolerance. But DGM Chief Public Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel claimed that this public statements were a tactic to cover his true aims.

"Gulen's aim is to establish a theocratic Islamic dictatorship by having Islamic rules goven the state," Yuksel said in his indictment. Gulen, 62, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Gulen reportedly left Turkey last year for the United States to seek medical treatment. His lawyer said he would not come back because he is in poor health.

During the session, Yuksel once again requested the presiding judge to authorize arrest, but Judge Eken rejected the request. 2000-05-12 00:00:00

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