Istanbul court releases two suspects in graft probe

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Muacet Korkmaz and Emir Eroğlu were released late Jan. 20 over the possibility that evidence could change in their favor. DHA photo

An Istanbul court has ordered the release of two suspects arrested as part of a graft operation launched on Dec. 17, 2013, while 12 other suspects, including the sons of two former ministers, remain under arrest. 

The 28th Criminal Court of Peace ordered the release of Muacet Korkmaz and Emir Eroğlu on the basis of their period of arrest and the possibility that evidence could change in their favor. 

The court, however, prohibited the pair from leaving the country, while the suspects will also be required to sign in at the police station closest to their residence once a month.

The court rejected demands to release 12 other graft probe suspects, including Barış Güler, the son of ex-Interior Minister Muammer Güler; Salih Kaan Çağlayan, the son of ex-Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan; Halkbank chief executive Süleyman Aslan and Iranian-born Azeri businessman Reza Zarrab.

Zafer Çağlayan and Muammer Güler were removed from the Cabinet last month in an unexpected reshuffle that came soon after the probe into the graft allegations.