Turkish PM Calls On Foreign Diplomatic Missions Not To Intervene In Turkey's Affairs

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.21



By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:



Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on representatives of foreign diplomatic missions not to intervene in Turkey's affairs, TRT Haber TV channel reported on Dec.21.



If representatives of foreign diplomatic missions continue to intervene in the country's affairs, Turkey will have to solve this issue at a diplomatic level and to expel the ambassadors, according to Erdogan.



Erdogan also stressed that internal and foreign forces that do not want the country's revival are behind the latest events in Turkey.



Nobody will be able to weaken the Turkish government, the prime minister said.



The government will make every effort to fully clarify the latest developments, according to Erdogan.



It was earlier reported that the leader of the Turkish oppositional Republican People's Party Kemal Kılıcdaroglu met with the U.S. ambassador to Turkey after the corruption scandal began.



Turkish police conducted special operations in Istanbul and Ankara on Dec.18, resulting in the arrest of 52 people that includes businessmen and sons of some ministers.



The businessmen are accused of corruption, smuggling and selling drugs.



Among those detained were the sons of some ministers, who are the members of Turkey's ruling party - Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan's son, Salih Kaan Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammar Guler's son Baris Guler, Minister for Urban Development and Environment Erdogan Bayraktar's son Oguz Bayraktar. All three were detained on suspicion of corruption.



Mayor of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality, Mustafa Demir, director general of Turkish Halkbank Suleyman Aslan and famous entrepreneur Ali Agaoglu were arrested during the same operation by police. Searches were conducted at Halkbank's office.



Senior police officers investigating a Turkish corruption scandal were dismissed on Dec.18.



Additionally, the names of Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Egemen Bagish, Interior Minister Muammar Guler and Minister for Urban Development and Environment Erdogan Bayraktar are appearing in the corruption scandal.



Mayor of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality, Mustafa Demir, whose name is appearing in the corruption scandal, was released today.



Translated by L.Z.