Fethullah Gulen: Ex-Erdogan Ally Who Became Public Enemy Number One

Fethullah Gulen lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999 (Credit: AFP)

A former ally of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen spent years eluding the clutches of Turkey's president, who accused him of masterminding a failed 2016 coup.

After nearly 25 years living away from Turkey, Gulen died in hospital overnight, Turkish public television said, citing groups close to the 83-year-old preacher.