Dozens of Turkish Citizens Killed by Bootleg Alcohol

jpnn.com, TURKEY - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's policies have been under scrutiny as the number of deaths from bootleg alcohol in the country has increased.

At least 22 people had died and 16 others were in critical condition after drinking bootleg alcohol in Istanbul, the local governor's office said Friday.

Turkish authorities have been aggressively cracking down on bootleg liquor ahead of New Year's celebrations, launching a nationwide operation targeting sellers and distributors.

The governor's office said in a statement that 11 of the dead were foreign nationals and five of them had been hospitalized.

In addition, 46 people have been taken to the hospital due to alcohol poisoning.

Erdogan imposes high taxes on alcohol.

Taxes on Turkey's popular raki drink, which is often topped with aniseed, have skyrocketed over the past decade.

Prices of alcoholic beverages in markets, restaurants, and bars have also risen in recent months due to the high taxes, as well as inflation.