Special counsel reportedly probes Flynn in alleged plan to forcibly send Muslim cleric to Turkey
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn/Shutterstock.com.
Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly investigating former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in connection with an alleged plan to use force to transport a Muslim cleric from the United States to Turkey.
The plan was to pay $15 million for delivery of Fethullah Gulen, people familiar with the investigation told the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). There is no indication that any money was paid, and it’s not clear how far the special counsel probe has progressed. NBC followed with its own story, also based on anonymous sources.
Turkey’s government has claimed Gulen masterminded a failed coup, a charge he denies.
The investigators are allegedly looking into a December meeting at New York City’s 21 Club restaurant in which Flynn allegedly discussed Gulen with representatives of the Turkish government, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Investigators are also examining whether Flynn’s son, Michael Flynn Jr., had any role in the efforts.
A spokesperson for the Trump transition process told the Wall Street Journal that the team had no evidence that the meeting took place.
“And if it did take place it happened notwithstanding the transition,” the spokesperson said.
Flynn was national security adviser for 24 days before being forced out for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. At the time of Flynn’s resignation, he was reportedly under investigation by the Defense Department for payments he received from Turkey and Russia, according to previous coverage.
