The Justice and Development Partys Burdur Deputy Hasan Hami Y?ld?r?m announced his resignation today, becoming the fifth lawmaker to part ways with the ruling party amid an ongoing major corruption operation.
Y?ld?r?m criticized the removal of the head prosecutor in a second corruption case reported to be wider than the probe that began Dec. 17. Prosecutor Muammer Akka? announced Dec. 26 that investigation files had been taken from his hands, slamming the pressure on the judiciary.
The pressure on prosecutor Muammer Akka? is unacceptable. This pressure cannot be considered as legitimate in a rule of law, Y?ld?r?m said via Twitter.
Former Culture Minister Ertu?rul Günay, ?zmir MP Erdal Kalkan and Ankara MP Haluk Özdalga announced their resignations from the party on Dec. 27 after the AKPs Central Executive Board (MYK) decided in a meeting late Dec. 26 to send them to the disciplinary body due to their verbal and written remarks stigmatizing [the] party and the government.
Former Turkish interior minister ?dris Naim ?ahin also announced his resignation on Dec. 25.
Kütahya Deputy ?dris Bal and Istanbul Deputy Hakan ?ükür also resigned after criticizing the AKP on the decision to close the test prep schools.