Protests in Istanbul and Ankara erupted after audio recordings, allegedly of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan talking on the phone to his son, circulated on the Internet Monday. The two were discussing how to dispose of “tens of millions” of dollars in cash amid a graft probe.

Democratic state senator Ron Calderon, 56, has been indicted on two dozen charges of corruption including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. He surrendered to the authorities on Monday and has pleaded innocent to all charges.

While the United States is increasingly protecting its land borders from drug traffickers with robot technology, coast guard cutbacks are leaving sea lanes unprotected, illustrating the disjointed political nature of the US drug war.

Former Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko was released from her Kharkiv prison hospital on Saturday and flew to Kiev to speak on Independence Square. Although she has had many supporters over the years, opinions vary as to whether or not she should return to power.

Thousands of protestors have taken to Kiev’s now bloodied and charred streets to protest and demonstrate. However, not all are against the current government. Meet the “Titushki,” thuggish strongmen allegedly hired by the Ukrainian government to support the regime.

Former Republic of Georgia Prime Minister Ivane Merabishvili has been sentenced to five years in prison for public corruption charges in a verdict that has been branded by his defense as political prosecution.

Authorities from the Department for Grave Crimes in Baku have summoned Khadija Ismayilova, OCCRP partner and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent, for questioning relating to what the department alleges are leaks of state secrets.

The dismantlement of a United States sex trafficking ring called Operation Dark Night resulted in 23 convictions and the rescue of 12 victims. Women were being forced into prostitution and traded between Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

Three associates of Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbek president Islam Karimov, have been detained and are being questioned for tax evasion and concealing foreign currency.

Authorities from the Department for Grave Crimes in Baku summoned Khadija Ismayilova, OCCRP regional coordinator and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent, for questioning Tuesday relating to an alleged leak of state secrets.