Corruption probe [in Turkey]


Date posted: December 18, 2013

FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK

Turkey was shaken by the news of a major corruption operation on Tuesday in which at least 52 people, including bureaucrats, well-known businessmen and the sons of three ministers were detained by police.

Although some are trying to downplay the seriousness of the charges directed against the detainees by debating the timing and political motivations of the operation, Turkish columnists agree that the charges should be investigated thoroughly and that if the detainees were involved in corruption, then they should be punished accordingly, no matter who they are.

Referring to the debates on the timing of the operation and the forces behind it, Bugün’s Gülay Göktürk said the political meaning and target of this operation are certainly important but should never overshadow the allegations of corruption. “The basic question is whether the corruption allegations are correct and whether those people have been involved in any acts of corruption and this question is the one that needs to be answered no matter who launched the operation, when and for what purpose,” Göktürk wrote. In her view, in times like these when every actor is playing their own game in politics and the picture is murky, embracing principles is more important than ever. “In this great fight in the political arena, what needs to be done is not to act as a fan of this or that side but to follow in the footsteps of justice, law and transparency, no matter who will pay the price,” she noted.

Sabah’s Hasan Celal Güzel said he does not know the sons of the three ministers who were allegedly involved in the corruption but thinks the three ministers do not have anything to do with the corruption charges. He said he hopes the ministers’ sons were not involved in any acts of corruption but that if they did engage in such immoral behavior, then they should be punished accordingly, no matter whose relatives they are.

Radikal’s Cüneyt Özdemir said that even if some people interpret the corruption operation as a manifestation of the rift between the Hizmet movement and the government, it does not reduce the importance and seriousness of the allegations directed against the detainees. “The fact that it involves the general manager of a state-run bank and the sons of three ministers shows us the importance of this investigation,” he said, adding that the actions of the sons unfortunately call for an explanation from their minister fathers.

Source: Today's Zaman , December 18, 2013

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Michael Rubin: I realize I may have misread the Gülen movement

I have often been suspicious of the Gülen movement, although as I reflect, I realize I may have been misread the movement. While this post will be lengthy, the topic remains relevant and intellectually interesting to those interested in Islam and reform, and so I hope to address why I was suspicious, and why I have slowly been changing my mind.

Fethullah Gulen’s Message of Condolences for Victims of Terrorist Attack at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport

Turkish Islamic scholar and peace advocate Fethullah Gulen, who has been residing in Saylorsburg, PA since 1999, condemned the horrific terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport.

520 children of imprisoned mothers growing up in jail, yet Turkey celebrates Children’s Day

As Turkey celebrated the 97th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Parliament and Children’s Day on April 23, at least 520 children with imprisoned mothers have been deprived of enjoying the day as they are obliged to grow up in jail.

Erdogan vs the Gulen movement

A little piece of Turkey sits in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, in the form of the breathtaking Nizamiye mosque – built as a replica of the famous Selimiye mosque of Edirne, with its myriad blue and white tiles. President Jacob Zuma officially opened the mosque in 2012, which was built and funded by the unassuming Islamic philanthropist known as Uncle Ali.

Turkish “religious advisors” are keeping an eye on Erdogan opponents in Belgium

Turkey is pressuring “religious advisors” to keep an eye on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s opponents in 38 countries, including Belgium. In Belgium, how the religious councillor at the Turkish embassy behaved could be seen as interference.

An opposition out of Gulen Community?

Noting that it’s an interesting analogy, I told Gulen community is not a political movement and its participants refer to their movement as “hizmet.” As our conversation moved on, I got the feeling that the correspondent regarded Gulen community as the most influential organized opposition movement against the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party).

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Nigeria Gives 7-Day Ultimatum to Turkish Government to Release Over 50 Nigerian Students Held in Detention

Interview: Professor Greg Barton, counter terrorism expert with Deakin University

Gulen-inspired school raided by Turkish diplomats, Turkish soldiers in Afghanistan

Samanyolu TV, Kimse Yok Mu raise TL 65 million for quake victims

Lawyer put behind bars along with 3-month-old baby

Statement on Erdogan Government’s shameful action against Fethullah Gulen

Turkish NGO sends aid to Syrians

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News