ANKARA, Turkey — A video leaked Monday, Feb. 24, that exposed Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanding his son to hide money due to a looming police raid. Within hours of the video being posted on YouTube, it racked up two million views and went viral. The story, however, is still unfolding, while another video has supposedly surfaced. For many, this rolling scandal is validating feelings of uncertainty about Erdogan and his unyielding grip on power.
The first tape was created on Dec. 17, 2013, during a time when Turkish police were investigating homes of the privileged in Turkey’s capital, Ankara. The video is comprised of five conversations, all with Erdogan firmly instructing his son, Bilal Erdogan, to move large sums of cash to “specific places” so that the police would not find it during their search.
The second tape was leaked on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and revealed Erdogan speaking to Bilal again, this time asking him to decline a certain amount of money being offered in a business deal before requesting that he hold out for more money.
The voice in the video, which is supposedly Erdogan, states, “Don’t take it. Whatever he has promised us, he should bring this. If he is not going to bring that, there is no need… The others are bringing. Why can’t he bring? What do they think this business is? But don’t worry they will fall into our lap.”
While these videos have not yet been legitimized, they have instigated other allegations against Erdogan and his government, specifically in regards to bribery and accusations of breaking sanctions-deals with Iran. Allegedly, Erdogan also keeps millions of dollars in shoeboxes, which would support the truth behind the conversation that he had with Bilal on tape.
Erdogan has denied all of these claims fervently, saying that the videos were created to frame him and undermine his government. As it stands, Erdogan is playing the victim role, claiming that it was a personal attack against him due to rivalries he has with Fethullah Gulen. Gulen is a Turkish preacher and a Muslim leader, now based in the U.S., and was a former ally of Erdogan. Their differences, however, have pinned them at odds with each other, though Gulen retains strong ties with Turkish police and the judiciary, thus forming Erdogan’s belief that Gulen orchestrated the scandal.
Erdogan has answered loudly to these allegations by firing more than a few thousand police officers and prosecutors. A controversial bill was, furthermore, also signed by President Abdullah Gul, under Erdogan’s advice, which strengthened the amount of control the Prime Minister has on the judiciary. This sort of law basically abolishes checks and balances and the separation of powers, leaving the Prime Minister with unmitigated control.
Opposition groups such as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) are advising Erdogan to finally step down after 11 years of power, but Erdogan is not complying with those requests. As Kemal Kiliçdaroğlu, leader of CHP, stated, “My advice to you: Take a helicopter and flee abroad and resign… Those who rob the state cannot stay in the prime ministry… The government has lost its legitimacy.”
As suspicious as it may seem, Erdogan still has a decent number of supporters despite the corruption scandal. Erdogan has amiable relationships and the backing of many of Turkey’s elite, perhaps due to his restoring of the Turkish economy years ago and the success his cabinet has brought to the privileged.
The Country’s Response
On the ground, however, many Turkish civilians are outraged by the videos. After news of the corruption scandal and the passing of the controversial law, thousands of protesters have come together, expressing themselves through exclamations like, “thieves!” and “government resign!”
The protesting symbolizes not only the people of Turkey objecting an unjust law, but also the overall rejection of a once trusted government that has turned sour over the years. Now with more concrete proof than ever, protesters have taken to the streets with verbal ammunition.
Police have, furthermore, been reacting violently to the protesters, even resorting to the use of tear-gas in Ankara last Wednesday, Feb. 25. Police have also fired water cannons to disperse crowds and end the chants in Taksim Square, Istanbul. The recent demonstrations in Istanbul have been part of an ongoing protest against the government for many months.
With the story still unfolding and the question remaining about the legitimacy of the leaked videos, more information is necessary to make inferences for the future of the Turkish government. What is known is that many Turkish people are outraged, and their voices are being heard, whether or not they are being received amicably. Hopefully the violent reactions will cease, and the Turkish protesters can induce change with their demonstrations for a more economically fair country. Their protests may even be able to alter the corruptive path of Erdogan’s regime, or overthrow it altogether.
– Danielle Warren
Sources: Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, RTE News (1), RTE News (2)
Photo: LA Times