Political Party May Have Stolen Aid

The plight of Bosnian Muslims was embraced by Turkey’s Islamic fundamentalist politicians as an issue well-suited to their anti-Western rhetoric. But it has produced a scandal for their party.

The Welfare Party is under investigation for allegedly pocketing about $39 million it raised from Turks to help Bosnia.

Turkish news reports have detailed allegations of a money trail that bypassed Bosnia.

The aid money - raised at large rallies around the country - was reportedly first sent to a relief group set up by Welfare in Germany. It was then transferred to a party member named Suleyman Mercumek in Istanbul. Welfare allegedly used the money for its election campaigns.