Turkish PM, cleric in war of words over graft scandal


Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses the members of the Turkish Parliament during a debate on a draft budget in Ankara December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A war of words escalated on Monday between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and a cleric with powerful influence in the police and judiciary, worsening political turmoil unleashed by a corruption scandal.

Turkey has been increasingly polarised since the arrest on graft charges last week of the head of state-run lender Halkbank and the sons of two government ministers.

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