A Massive Corruption Scandal In Turkey in Erdoğan’s government

ISTANBUL | 18-12-2013 |  Turkish prosecutors unveiled a sweeping anti-corruption campaign this week that reaches deep into the country’s conservative government. More that 50 people have been detained so far, many of them tied to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the powerful prime minister.

The investigations have drawn in business tycoons close to Erdogan, the sons of three of his ministers and the head of a state-run bank. They focus mainly on allegations of bribery, much of it tied to the kind of massive building projects redefining Turkey’s cities. More explosive accusations and detentions may be on the way.

Alleged leaked evidence has meanwhile kicked the local press into a frenzy and flooded social media, including photos of millions of dollars in cash said to be kept in safes and shoeboxes inside suspects’ homes. There are also transcripts of alleged phone calls — including one in which a businessman complains that a box of cash he delivered to a minister was so full it nearly burst.

After more than a decade in power, Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party seems to be reeling. But it hasn’t backed down, instead dismissing police chiefs in apparent retribution. (BF World)