Turkey minister quits over criticism of lockdowns

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu resigned late Sunday, taking responsibility for a poorly timed announcement of a weekend coronavirus curfew that prompted thousands of people to rush into the streets.

Soylu is one of the most senior figures in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

In a statement posted on his Twitter account, Soylu said: “Responsibility for implementing the weekend curfew decision, which was aimed at preventing the epidemic, belongs entirely to me.”

The 48-hour lockdown of 31 cities was announced just two hours before it took effect on Friday night.

Thousands of people ran out to stores to stock up on goods, many without wearing mandatory face masks.

Images of large, closely-bunched crowds sparked criticism of the government’s planning for the lockdowns.