EU warns Turkish PM over corruption probe: Reports

ISTANBUL

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The European Union has warned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to cease his interference in a major corruption probe into high-ranking officials, the Telegraph has reported.

A spokesman for Stefan Füle, the European commissioner for enlargement, reportedly said in a statement that Erdoğan was in direct breach of EU rules safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, which is also a key condition for Turkey’s EU membership bid.

“The latest developments, including the sacking of police chiefs and the instructions to police to inform authorities on investigations, raise serious concerns as regards the independence, efficiency and impartiality of the investigations and the separation of powers,” said the spokesman, according to the Telegraph.

“This further highlights the need for establishing a proper judicial police as already recommended by the EU,” he said.