Gulen movement denies involvement in Turkey coup attempt

A group affiliated with US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of being behind a coup attempt, condemned the uprising early on Saturday.

"For more than 40 years, Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet participants have advocated for, and demonstrated their commitment to, peace and democracy," the Alliance for Shared Values said in a statement.

Hizmet is the name by which Gulen's movement is commonly known.

"We have consistently denounced military interventions in domestic politics. These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military intervention in domestic politics of Turkey."

The group said it did not wish to speculate on the unfolding crisis in Turkey and denounced as "highly irresponsible" comments by Erdogan's supporters concerning the Muslim cleric's possible involvement in the coup attempt.

Erdogan earlier hit out at his arch-rival, saying that the coup was the work of a "parallel state" and "Pensylvania" - a reference to the state where Gulen is based.