Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Leaders of law enforcement authorities in 27 Turkish cities have been dismissed, Turkish Hurriyet newspaper reported on Feb.13.
Prime Minister Erdogan's chief security officer has also been fired.
After the anti-corruption operations that began in Turkey on Dec.17, 2013, jobs of around 166 judges were changed.
Under the legal authority changes, posts of over 6000 police have also been altered.
Turkish police conducted special operations in Istanbul and Ankara on Dec.17, 2013, resulting in the arrest of several dozen people that included businessmen and sons of some ministers. The detainees were accused of corruption, smuggling and selling drugs.
Mayor of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality, Mustafa Demir, Director General of Turkish Halkbank Suleyman Aslan and well known entrepreneur Ali Agaoglu were arrested during the same operation by police. Searches were also conducted at Halkbank's office.
After a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in late December, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new cabinet of ministers.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by S.M.