Turkey rejects probe into alleged Erdogan family tax evasion

Turkey's parliament has rejected an opposition motion for an inquiry into allegations that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's family members have evaded taxes by transferring millions of dollars to off-shore accounts.

The main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, says it has obtained documents showing that family members sent up to $15 million dollars to the Isle of Man, and requested a parliamentary investigation.

Parliament, which is dominated by Erdogan's ruling-party members, rejected the motion Thursday.

Erdogan has denied the allegations, said the documents are fakes, and insisted that "not a cent" was sent. He has filed a lawsuit against the CHP's chairman.

On Thursday, the Ankara prosecutor's office said it was launching a probe and would request the documents. The CHP says however that the issue is ethical, not criminal.