The former chief executive of Turkey’s state-run Halkbank was among eight people released Friday, the Anadolu news agency reported, in a high-level corruption inquiry that has threatened the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The crisis started on December 17 following a police raid that led to the arrests of 24 people, including Halkbank’s Suleyman Aslan, the sons of three cabinet ministers, and other bureaucrats and businessmen linked to Mr. Erdogan.
Some 4.5 million dollars were allegedly found in shoeboxes in Mr. Aslan’s home.
The allegations relate to bribery involving public tenders, gold smuggling and illegal dealings with the Iranian government to circumvent international sanctions.
The three ministers - for economy; environment and urban planning; and interior - whose sons were implicated, subsequently resigned.
Protesters have demanded the premier’s resignation, deputies from his Justice and Development (AK) Party have quit, and thousands of police officers have either been sacked or reassigned.
Mr. Erdogan, who faces the most serious challenge to his 11-year rule, has called the investigation a conspiracy.
Observers in Turkey and local media have said the corruption inquiry is part of a growing political feud between Mr. Erdogan and his former ally, Fethullah Gulen, who denies the allegation.
The Islamic scholar, who lives in the United States, is believed to have connections within the Turkish police force and the judiciary.
