Turkey’s Prime Minister has launched a stinging attack on the country’s judiciary over its inquiry into bribery and corruption within the government.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims he is the victim of a conspiracy that is threatening Turkey’s “future and stability”.
Speaking to 45 prominent members of the Turkish media Erdogan said: “In this process, there has been a coup attempt by the judiciary in Turkey. There has been an attempt to seize the sovereignty from the people and transfer it to the judiciary.”
Erdogan also claimed he has received a letter of reconciliation from the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose followers are influential in Turkey’s police and judiciary.
Many of Gulen’s followers see him as a more progressive and pro-Western influence than Erdogan, whose opinions on issues from abortion to alcohol consumption, and the concentration of power around him they view with increasing alarm.
The corruption investigation, which has led to the resignation of three ministers, poses the biggest challenge to Erdogan in his 11 years as leader.
