(Article changed on February 28, 2014 at 01:47)
(Article changed on February 27, 2014 at 02:43)
"My
advice to you [PM Erdogan]: Take a helicopter and flee abroad and
resign. Those who rob the state cannot stay in the Prime Ministry."
Turkey's main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu
Audio recordings of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan talking with
his son Bilal offer explicit revelations of deception and corruption on
the same day that Istanbul prosecutors raided the homes of the PM's
ministers, cronies, and their adult children. The recording was
released on Twitter yesterday and widely available to Turkish internet
users. Anonymous blogger, Haramzadeler, published the tapes, which are believed to be copies of original recordings by Turkish law enforcement officials. (Image: turkletom) Today's Zaman
Erdogan called his son, Bilal, four times on December 17, 2013 between 8:20 am and 11:20 pm. In the first call, the PM alerts his son to the now famous police raids of December 17. He states that the homes of three adult children of former Erdogan ministers are being raided and tells his son to clear out the PM's money in Bilal's safe.
PM (PM ERDOGAN):: I'm saying that Muammer's son,
Zafer's son, Erdoğan's son, Ali Ağaoğlu, Reza Zerrab, etc -- they are
searching the houses of 18 people under a big corruption operation
thing.
BILAL (PM'S SON): Right.
PM: OK? Now, what I [have to] say is, you [must] take everything you have in the house out. OK?
BILAL: What can I have on me, Dad? [I have no money of my own.] There is your money in the safe. Today's Zaman
In the same call Turkey's leader announces that his daughter will be over soon to give Bilal information on where to hide the money. The PM then mentions that his other son, Bilal's older brother, will provide information as well on where to hide the money from the safe.
PM: That's what I am saying. Now, I am sending your sister [to you]. OK?
BILAL: You are sending who?
PM: Your sister, I'm saying.
BILAL: Eh? OK.
PM: Then" She has that information, OK. Talk with your older brother. Today's Zaman
In a few short moments Erdogan implicated himself in a scheme to hide money from a presumed police search and involved his son Bilal, his daughter, and Bilal's older brother in the conspiracy to hide evidence from the police.
It gets worse. The PM called Bilal at 11:17 am. Even more members of the Erdogan family are implicated in criminal activities.
BILAL: Dad, we got together with Hasan [brother], etc. Berat [brother], my uncle, we are together thinking about it [what to do.] Berat has another idea. He says let's give some of it to Faruk [Kalyoncu] for the other "business/thing" so he can process it like the previous stuff. Shall we do it? We can dissolve a big amount with this. Today's Zaman
How much money are we talking about?
Quite a bit. By the forth and last call at 11:15 pm, we get an idea of how much cash Bilal and his siblings are carrying around.
BILAL: We have not zeroed it yet, Dad. Let me explain. We still have 30 million euros that we could not dissolve yet. Berat thought of something. There was an additional $25 million that Ahmet Çalık should receive. They say let's give this [to him] there. When the money comes, we do [something], they say. And with the remaining money we can buy a flat in Şehrizar, he says. What do you say, Dad? Today's Zaman
The 30 million euros represent the left over amount from the day's effort to conceal the money Erdogan mentioned in the 8:20 am call. Reports indicate the amount could reach $1 billion.
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