ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday an investigation into corruption in his government is a coup attempt by the judiciary.
"In this process, there has been a coup attempt by the judiciary in Turkey," Euronews quoted Erdogan as telling a group of journalists.
"There has been an attempt to seize the sovereignty from the people and transfer it to the judiciary."
The corruption investigation has weakened Erdogan, Euronews said. He also suggested that a way could be found to retry military officers convicted of plotting a coup, suggesting he feels he needs help from Turkey's powerful military, Today's Zaman reported.
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Friday no general amnesty would be granted the officers convicted of the coup attempt. Their supporters accused police and judges Thursday of fabricating evidence.
Erdogan's Freedom and Justice Party is moderately Islamist. This has put his government at odds with the military, which sees itself as the defender of the secular legacy of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish state.
