Istanbul Police Chief Dismissed in Graft Probe

The Istanbul police chief has been dismissed after dozens of people including the sons of cabinet ministers were detained in a sweeping graft probe, media reports said Thursday.

Huseyin Capkin, who had been at his post since June 2009, is the latest of 30 senior police officers to be sacked in Istanbul and Ankara for "abusing their power".

The corruption probe has set off a political firestorm in Turkey, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing it as a "dirty operation" aimed at smearing his government.

"I'm a public officer. I've served here for four and a half years with honor," Capkin told reporters.

"But now I'm asked to return to headquarters. Let's hope for the best," Capkin said.

Five police chiefs were among those sacked after Tuesday's dawn raids which led to the arrest of 51 people.

Erdogan said police chiefs had been removed from their posts because they were using abusing their powers, and warned that more dismissals could follow.