Turkish President Abdullah Gul urged the judiciary to remain impartial as it pursues a corruption investigation shaking the government, warning on Friday of grave economic consequences if confidence in the country’s institutions is eroded. In his most exhaustive comments on the graft scandal so far, Gul said the existence of a “state within the state” would not be tolerated, an apparent reference to the movement of U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose followers are influential in Turkey’s police and judiciary. He also said there should be no tolerance for corruption.
President Gul said the priority was to ensure graft claims are thoroughly investigated. “Courts should act according to the constitution, laws and regulations. They should guard themselves against any other reason or motivation, be it ideological, religious, or political.” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said the probe was a “dirty setup” with international links designed to hinder Turkey’s economic advance.