Thousands of people in Turkey have poured into the streets across the country, calling on the administration of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to step down amid a growing corruption scandal.Late on Wednesday, some 5,000 people staged a massive protest rally in the districts of Kadikoy and Besiktas in Istanbul, where riot police fired teargas to break up the anti-government demonstration.
The protesters also chanted slogans such as Three ministers resignation is not enough, the whole government should resign, corruption is everywhere, and resistance is everywhere, Chinas Xinhua reported.
Local media said at least four people were also arrested during the demonstration.
Similar demonstrations were held in the capital, Ankara, and other cities including Izmir and Adna.
On December 17, dozens of government officials and prominent businessmen close to the Turkish prime minister were arrested for inquiry on graft charges.
Erdogan, however, responded to the inquiry by dismissing dozens of police chiefs. He described the probe as an ill-intentional move of local and foreign actors aimed at toppling his government.
On December 25, Erdogan announced a major cabinet reshuffle following three ministerial resignations over the controversial corruption inquiry. Two of the ministers resigned after their sons were detained.
The Turkish prime minister has warned that he might expel some foreign diplomats involved in provocative actions against the Turkish state.
Turkish media reports indicate that Erdogans son will probably be the next target of the high-level graft probe.
The investigation is being widely interpreted as a challenge to the authority of Erdogan, who boasts of being pro-business and has pledged to root out corruption.
By Press TV
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