The Turkish government has dismissed or redeployed around 800 police officers in the capital Ankara, responding to investigations into alleged corruption in the highest political circles.
Information appeared on the website of the daily "Milijet" that many high-ranking police officials were among the "disposed of", reports AFP.
So far, the Erdogan government has sanctioned around 6.000 police officers across Turkey, which is seen as apparent retaliation for corruption investigations.
Also, since the corruption scandal broke in mid-December, dozens of prosecutors involved in investigations into alleged money laundering, gold smuggling and bribery have been fired.
Erdogan accused his former ally, exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, who has enormous influence in Turkish judicial and police circles, for those investigations. Erdogan claims that it is a conspiracy against his government in a crucial election year.
However, Erdogan's purges, as well as the regulations he is trying to use to gain more influence over the judiciary and the Internet, are causing concern both inside and outside the country for Turkish democracy.
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