Advantage Gulen, Service Erdogan

TURKEY - In Brief 20 Dec 2013 by Atilla Yesilada

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The action on the screen is moving so fast, it is impossible to suppress the adrenalin rush and to contemplate the end of this movie. Dare I say that the Bribery and Corruption Operation (the Operation) may be the second most talked-about affair in GEM after Fed’s taper? In this brief note, I outline recent developments of note and the potential counter-moves by the Erdogan. Today is critical because, as I write these lines the marquee figures in the investigation, namely real estate mogul Ali Agaoglu and three ministerial scions are being arraigned, that is brought to court which will determine whether they will be indicted and tried under arrest. If the sons of ministers are not set free on bail, there is a 90% chance that the war has become permanent. So far, the advantage is decidedly with the Gulen Church. The police or the prosecutors have leaked -Wiretaps of Minister Guler warning his son that he may be eavesdropped. -Pictures of huge amounts of cash discovered in the houses of suspects. -Further wiretaps of the key suspect gold merchant Reza Sarraf chatting about kick-backs with ministers. -Halkbank is accused of being the conduit for Euro 86 billion (yes, not million, billion) of money laundering for Iran. -The anti-AKP media claims that sex tapes of deputy and PM hopeful Mr. Numan Kurtulmus have been serviced to news outlets. AKP has found it difficult to forge a consistent “spin” that disowns potential corruption but at the same time portrays the Operation as a conspiracy by Israel, USA and the Gulen Church. Erdogan's orders to change the top cops in most provinces has been seen as an attempt to hush up the probe and an indirect admission of guilt. I anticip...