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M. Continuo

Turkish court launches probe after spat in ruling AK Party


    ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish prosecutor launched an investigation on Tuesday into alleged malpractice by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and the mayor of Ankara, local media said, following a public spat between the two that has exposed a fracture in ruling AK Party.

    Broadcaster CNN Turk said the probe was opened in response to petitions filed by an opposition lawmaker and the Urban Planning Chamber of Ankara after comments made by the two politicians on Monday evening.

    Arinc accused Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek of misconduct during more than 20 years as mayor of the Turkish capital, fuelling a row within the party ahead of a June parliamentary election.

    Gokcek, in turn, has accused Arinc of disloyalty to President Tayyip Erdogan.

    (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; editing by Daren Butler and David Dolan)