Representatives of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, released a statement saying that recent allegations made against Flynn were false.

Reports alleged Flynn had discussed with Turkish officials plans to remove a controversial Muslim cleric living in the US, for $15 million.



The legal counsel of former national security adviser Michael Flynn released a rare statement following reports of an alleged plan that Flynn may have discussed delivering a Muslim cleric living in the US to the Turkish government.

"Out of respect for the process of the various investigations regarding the 2016 campaign, we have intentionally avoided responding to every rumor or allegation raised in the media," a statement from Flynn's counsel said.

"But today's news cycle has brought allegations about General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial that we are making an exception to our usual rule: they are false."

Citing "people with knowledge of discussion," the Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Flynn and his son, Michael Flynn Jr., were to receive $15 million to deliver Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in Pennsylvania who Turkish leader Recep Erdogan believes is responsible for planning last year's attempted coup and generally fomenting dissent inside Turkey. Gulen has denied the charges.

One of the methods to remove Gulen that were reportedly discussed was to fly him on a private jet to a prison on a small island in Turkey, according to The Journal.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has been reportedly investigating Flynn's alleged role in attempting to remove Gulen, amid his expanding probe on President Donald Trump's campaign ties with Russia. According to an NBC News report, Mueller has compiled enough evidence to charge both Flynn and Flynn Jr.

Prior to his abrupt ouster from the White House, Flynn had strong ties with the Turkish government through his lobbying firm, Flynn Intel Group. The lobbying firm is said to have worked on a documentary to help bolster Turkey's image, and previously lobbied the US government to extradite Gulen.