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350 police officers sacked in Turkey following corruption probe
350 police officers sacked in Turkey following corruption probe
CuteNaija
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Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Turkey has sacked 350 police officers in the capital Ankara, following a corruption probe targeting people close to the government, reports say.
Officials, mostly from outside the city, have been named to replace them.
Hundreds of police have been dismissed or reassigned across the country since last month’s corruption investigation. Three cabinet ministers resigned after their sons were detained in the raids.
The prime minister has accused the police and judiciary of a “dirty plot”.
The arrests were carried out as part of an inquiry into alleged bribery involving public tenders, which included controversial building projects in Istanbul.
Those detained in the 17 December raids included more than 50 public officials and businessmen – all allies of the prime minister.
The latest round of police sackings and reassignments were carried out under a government decree published at midnight.
Those removed from their posts include chiefs of the financial crimes, anti-smuggling and organised crime units, the private Dogan News Agency reported.
The move comes as the government is trying to contain the fall-out from the corruption inquiry.
Many believe the arrests and firings reflect a feud within Turkey’s ruling AK Party between those who back Mr Erdogan, and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, an influential Islamic scholar living in self-imposed exile in the US.
Members of Mr Gulen’s Hizmet movement are said to hold influential positions in institutions such as the police, the judiciary and the AK Party itself.
Mr Erdogan has said he would not allow “political plotting”. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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