Turkey military promises not to get involved in political corruption scandal

London – The Turkish military has said it would not get involved in the political turmoil sparked by a high-level corruption probe targeting the very core of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

However, the TSK will keep on closely following the developments regarding its corporate identity and the legal positions of its members, the statement added published on its official website, the Guardian reports.

The military announcement on crisis came after a close adviser to Erdogan blamed foreign conspiracy for investigation to push Turkey towards a military coup, the report added.

The corruption investigation has targeted leading businessmen and officials as well as the head of the state bank, all said to be engaged in corrupt practices, bribery, tender-rigging and illicit money transfers to Iran.

According to the report, three cabinet ministers have been forced to resign after their sons were detained as part of the investigation.

Turkey has a history of coups and military interference, but the army’s power has largely been curbed during Erdogan’s 11 years in power.