Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: World Economic Forum.

JNS.org – Turkey’s Islamist Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing an increasing pressure on his rule amid a corruption scandal that has already forced three of his top ministers to resign. The corruption probe, revealed by prosecutors on Dec. 17, targeted the resigned minister’s sons with allegations that they received bribes for constructions projects.

The resignation included Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, a close advisor to Erdogan, as well as two other ministers. In a surprise move, Bayraktar then called for Erdogan to step down as well.

“To soothe the nation, I believe that the prime minister should resign, too,” Bayraktar said, the Wall Street Journal reported.

An additional seven ministers were also forced out after Erdogan met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Last summer, a protest over the development of Istanbul’s Gezi Park devolved into widespread protests against Erdogan and his Islamist AKP party. Many accused Erdogan and the AKP of pushing Islamic values and stifling dissent against the government.