 Even Eric Edelman, former U.S.Ambassador to Turkey (2003–2005), was “flabbergasted.”

According to Gareth Jenkins, "For many, the arrest of Başbuğ on terrorist charges will be regarded not so much as demonstrating that the General staff is no longer untouchable but that the Gülen movement has the power to imprison whoever it likes, regardless of the law, due process or the absurdity of the allegations; and further proof that in today's Turkey it is not the military but the Gülen Movement that people need to fear.