DHAKA: Turkish police detained the sons of three cabinet ministers as part of an investigation into alleged bribery linked to public tenders on Tuesday.

Turkish newspapers reported, says The Straits Times.

Police carried out dawn raids in the main commercial city Istanbul, detaining at least 18 people including well-known businessmen, and also searched the headquarters of state-run lender Halkbank in the capital Ankara, sources said.

Hurriyet and other newspaper websites reported that the sons of interior minister Muammer Guler, economy minister Zafer Caglayan and environment and city planning minister Erdogan Bayraktar were detained.

Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Police declined to comment on the reports.

BDST: 1641 HRS, DEC 17, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor