Protesters rally against corruption in Turkey

ANKARA / ISTANBUL

AFP Photo

Protesters took to the streets in Istanbul and Ankara on March 1 to protest against corruption and bribery allegations that have shaken the country since last December.

Protesters were triggered by new leaked phone conversations incriminating Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of corruption, as well as the release of key suspect and sons of ex-ministers who were detained on Dec. 17, 2013, in the major operation.

Close to 600 people, shouting “They are thieves” and “Government, resign!” gathered in Ankara’s central Kızılay square.

Some demonstrators were seen handing out fake euros in a mock protest over leaked audio tapes that allegedly put Erdoğan himself at the heart of the corruption scandal.      

Istanbul police also attacked protesters who shouted slogans against the government when they tried to march from Galatasaray Square to Taksim Square.

Some protesters were detained, the reports said.

Other protests were staged in Mersin and Denizli.

With the releases of five individuals detained on Dec. 17, there are no more suspects under arrest in the graft operation, although 24 people were arrested in the initial stages of the probe.