DHAKA: Journalists will no longer be allowed to enter police departments, a statement released from the Turkish police has said.

‘Members of the press will not be allowed into the Police Departments all over Turkey as of December 22, 2013,’ a statement read, reports daily Hurriyet.

‘Journalists will be invited in the event of a press statement or such development. We ask press members who use the press rooms at the Vatan and Gayrettepe Police Departments (in Istanbul) to return their keys and entrance cards.’

The move came amid a reshuffle in the police organisation that saw more than 100 police chiefs being removed from their posts, which followed a far-reaching graft investigation.

Two sons of ministers have been arrested as part of the probe.

Turkey Journalists Federation (TGF) criticised the decision.

‘At a time when the country’s agenda was busy with very serious allegations such as ‘corruption’ and ‘thievery,’ the decree is highly meaningful,’ a statement said.

BDST: 1754 HRS, DEC 23, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor