US receives Turkey's formal extradition request for cleric Gulen

Washington: The US has received a formal extradition request from Turkey for US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, the US State Department said on Tuesday.

However, the extradition request is not related to the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July, Xinhua news agency quoted State Department spokesperson Mark Toner as saying at a regular press briefing.

"Obviously, it's related to other reasons for which they want him extradited for," Toner said. "But I don't know the specifics on that."

The spokesperson said once the US makes a full assessment of the documents, it will make a determination on the extradition case.

A delegation of US officials from the Justice and State Department arrived in Ankara on Monday to discuss developments following the failed coup.

Tensions brewed after Ankara expressed its discontent over lack of support from Washington in the wake of the failed coup.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag warned that the relationship between both countries could be negatively affected if Gulen is not extradited.

However, the US insists that the cleric will only be extradited following legal procedures according to relevant legislature and treaties.