President Gül vows no cover-up in corruption scandal

“If there has been any corruption or any mistake, it will not and cannot be covered up,” Gül told reporters at the presidential palace during a reception.

Gül's remarks were interpreted by many as an attempt to reassure a jittery public and opposition concerned about the government's recent moves to curb the powers of the judiciary and the police in criminal investigations.

The government made an amendment to police regulations late on Friday requiring police officers to inform their superiors of all investigations, practically giving the executive the ability to keep tabs on any ongoing investigation pursued by prosecutor's offices. There is no separate judicial police force in Turkey and prosecutors rely on the national police in cities and the gendarmerie in rural areas to carry out criminal investigations.

Claiming that this change violates the separation of judicial and executive powers, the Turkish Bar Association (TBB) and civic groups filed lawsuits for the amendment's annulment with the Council of State on Monday.

The government also summarily dismissed senior police officials over the course of a week, with the total number of police chiefs and their deputies who were either removed or relocated reaching 135. Local media report that still more are expected to be sacked in the coming days.

In the meantime, the sons of two Cabinet ministers, the manager of state lender Halkbank and dozens of others were detained by the court pending trial. Press leaks from the investigations indicate that Cabinet ministers have allegedly taken millions of dollars in cash in exchange for favors granted to a detained suspect named Reza Zarrab, an Iranian national.

Trust the system, Gül says

Stressing that Turkey has undergone fundamental reforms in the judiciary, politics and other areas in the last decade, Gül stated that Turkey is not the Turkey of 15 years ago.

Noting that the allegations of corruption had been referred to the courts, President Gül said the court will examine and evaluate the evidence. “I am sure the justice system will reach a final judgment in a way that will not leave any question in the minds of anyone,” he explained.

Gül emphasized that the Turkish judiciary is independent and impartial in a democratic legal system.

He also asked the public to be patient until the judiciary works through the case.

President Gül is seen as more of a unifying figure in Turkey in comparison to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's polarizing and divisive politics.

Gül called for calm in the face of the ongoing investigation that has heightened tension in Turkey.

“What ought to be done is to follow [the process] in a calm manner, just as it is done in any transparent country. Of course thoughts and opinions can be expressed and published. It would be a benefit to the country, to the extent that we look at these issues from a principled stand,” Gül said.

Gül said the nation should focus on democracy and the rule of law when looking at the corruption probe.

No parallel state

Responding to questions about parallel structures or gang formations within the Turkish state, Gül emphasized that there is only one authority in the state and that it acts in line with the Constitution, laws and regulations.

“Individuals working in [public] institutions can freely have their own thoughts, ideologies. They can subscribe to different political trends. These are all legitimate, as long as they [ideology and beliefs] stay outside public and state work,” he explained.

The president's comments contradict the government's claim that the corruption investigation has been launched by gangs within state and seeks to oust the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) from power.

Gül highlighted the fact that varied opinions are the standard in modern democratic states, adding that people are free to follow their own beliefs as long as it does not contradict public authority.

As for shortcomings in the Turkish judicial system, Gül recalled that he had spoken about these problems in the past, saying that authorities ought to be vigilant when following legal procedures.

“I have always drawn attention to these types of problems since the beginning,” he said, adding that Turkey has implemented reform laws as an EU candidate country to address these problems.

Cabinet reshuffle after Erdoğan's return

Asked whether he will approve any Cabinet reshuffle that includes the names of four ministers implicated in the corruption probe, Gül said he does not want to engage in public polemics.

“I talked about this with the prime minister. We did it at length. He has his own thoughts and I shared mine with him. He is making his preparations, his assessments. When he comes back from abroad, we'll discuss it as well. You will then hear [the announcement of any reshuffle],” Gül explained.