Policemen of border gate bribery chain sacked from office

Date: 25/12/06
Source: The New Anatolian with Anka / Ankara
Author: -

26 police officers caught red handed while accepting bribes at a border gate and initiated a high-profile court case earlier this year were all expelled from office, officials said over the weekend.

The operation in the northwestern border town of Kapikule began last December after allegations of corruption that involved an estimated $300 million worth of cigarettes and alcohol. Forty-four people, including customs and police officers and the owners and staff of 35 duty-free shops, were arrested, with 35 kept in custody and the rest released. Following subsequent operations, the number of those detained rose to 78.

Several detainees were sentenced to ranging prison terms while several others are waiting to hear the last word from the court.

The police inspectors sent to Edirne prepared three reports about the police officers involved in the bribery scandal. The reports were discussed this weekend at a police summit which came to end with decision to end professional lives of 26 police officers.

The Edirne police used hidden cameras inside radiators to film officials taking bribes in hundreds of incidents at the Kapikule border gate. Truckers while crossing the border with Bulgaria were commonly forced to pay 10 euros to passport control, 10 euros to an inspector, another 10 euros to a stamping agent and 2.5 euros for a bag of duty-free items.

The amassed bribes were reportedly distributed by the chief officer of the shift or a high-ranking officer to the other officers.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) also called on Parliament to investigate misadministration problems in customs offices.

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