DHAKA: Three Turkish ministers have resigned after their sons were arrested amid a corruption scandal that has hit the government of PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Announcing his decision, environment minister Erdogan Bayraktar said the prime minister should also step down.

Two of the ministers’ sons are among 24 people charged, who include the head of the state-owned Halkbank.

The prime minister has threatened to ‘break the hands’ of rivals who used the inquiry to undermine his rule.

He has referred to a ‘dark plot’ by forces outside Turkey.

In response to the police crackdown, dozens of senior police officials have been removed from their posts, including the head of police in Istanbul.

All three ministers had appeared with Erdogan in front of a crowd of supporters on Tuesday night on his return to Esenboga airport in Ankara from a trip to Pakistan.

First to announce their resignations on Wednesday were economy minister Zafer Caglayan and interior minister Muammer Guler, whose sons have both been charged in connection with the inquiry.

BDST: 1952 HRS, DEC 24, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor