This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25525923

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Turkey: Army will not get involved in politics Turkey: Army will not get involved in politics
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's military has said it does not want to get involved in "political arguments", amid a major political corruption scandal.Turkey's military has said it does not want to get involved in "political arguments", amid a major political corruption scandal.
The crisis has forced Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reshuffle his cabinet following the resignations of three ministers.The crisis has forced Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reshuffle his cabinet following the resignations of three ministers.
The ministers' sons were among dozens of people detained as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe.The ministers' sons were among dozens of people detained as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe.
The scandal has caused Turkey's lira to fall to a new low against the dollar.The scandal has caused Turkey's lira to fall to a new low against the dollar.
Meanwhile, the country's top administrative court has blocked a government decree ordering police to inform their superiors before launching investigations.
The government introduced the decree last week after a series of police raids on senior figures as part of the corruption inquiry.
The Council of State's ruling on Friday, blocking the regulation, is seen as the latest setback in Mr Erdogan's efforts to stop the political fallout from the scandal.
History of takeovers
The Turkish army's statement, posted on its website, comes in response to a suggestion in the media by an ally of the prime minister that the corruption scandal might be a plot to trigger a military coup.The Turkish army's statement, posted on its website, comes in response to a suggestion in the media by an ally of the prime minister that the corruption scandal might be a plot to trigger a military coup.
"The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) does not want to be involved in political debates. On the other hand, the TSK will keep on closely following the developments regarding its corporate identity and the legal positions of its members," the statement said."The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) does not want to be involved in political debates. On the other hand, the TSK will keep on closely following the developments regarding its corporate identity and the legal positions of its members," the statement said.
Turkey has a history of military takeovers but its power has been curbed during Mr Erdogan's decade in power.Turkey has a history of military takeovers but its power has been curbed during Mr Erdogan's decade in power.
Police are investigating allegations of illicit money transfers to Iran and bribery for construction projects.Police are investigating allegations of illicit money transfers to Iran and bribery for construction projects.
On Wednesday Mr Erdogan named 10 new ministers to join his cabinet after talks with President Abdullah Gul.On Wednesday Mr Erdogan named 10 new ministers to join his cabinet after talks with President Abdullah Gul.
One of the three ministers to resign, former Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, has urged Mr Erdogan to step down himself.One of the three ministers to resign, former Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, has urged Mr Erdogan to step down himself.
The opposition-linked Cumhuriyet newspaper reports that a charitable foundation linked to Mr Erdogan's son Bilal is under investigation.The opposition-linked Cumhuriyet newspaper reports that a charitable foundation linked to Mr Erdogan's son Bilal is under investigation.
Numerous police and judicial officials have been removed from their posts since the first arrests 10 days ago.Numerous police and judicial officials have been removed from their posts since the first arrests 10 days ago.
On Thursday a state prosecutor said he was prevented from carrying out an investigation into corruption and had been removed from the case.On Thursday a state prosecutor said he was prevented from carrying out an investigation into corruption and had been removed from the case.
In a statement, Muammar Akkas said the police had obstructed proceedings by failing to carry out some arrests that he had ordered.In a statement, Muammar Akkas said the police had obstructed proceedings by failing to carry out some arrests that he had ordered.
Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor, Turhan Colakkadi, said Mr Akkas had been removed from his position for leaking information to the media.Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor, Turhan Colakkadi, said Mr Akkas had been removed from his position for leaking information to the media.
'Power struggle''Power struggle'
Commentators in Turkey believe the scandal stems from a power struggle between Mr Erdogan's government and an influential US-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who is said to have many followers within Turkey's police and judiciary.Commentators in Turkey believe the scandal stems from a power struggle between Mr Erdogan's government and an influential US-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who is said to have many followers within Turkey's police and judiciary.
Supporters regard the Hizmet movement inspired by Mr Gulen as the benign, modern face of Islam, but critics question its motives.Supporters regard the Hizmet movement inspired by Mr Gulen as the benign, modern face of Islam, but critics question its motives.
Mr Gulen, who has denied any involvement in the investigation, left Turkey in 1999 after being accused by the then government of plotting to establish an Islamic state.Mr Gulen, who has denied any involvement in the investigation, left Turkey in 1999 after being accused by the then government of plotting to establish an Islamic state.
He was cleared of that charge but has never returned to Turkey and now lives in Pennsylvania.He was cleared of that charge but has never returned to Turkey and now lives in Pennsylvania.