Thousands of Turks apply for military service exemption - for a fee

Nearly 200,000 Turkish men have applied in the last two days for a scheme to reduce their military service for a substantial fee, state news agency Anadolu reported on Tuesday.

"Our goal is to ensure that our youth benefit from the paid military service practice as soon as possible and without any problems," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in Ankara.

Many young men are selling everything; from their cars and homes to their cattles to come up with the cash.

Last month, parliament passed a bill that reduces the compulsory military service for young men, but it comes with a hefty price tag. It has been signed into law by the president.

All men over the age of 18 have to serve 12 months in the military. But according to the new law, men born on or before January 1, 1994, can serve 21 days, but only if they pay 15,000 Turkish liras (2,800 dollars).

Turkish citizens who have lived abroad for at least three years will similarly be exempt from military service. But they must pay 2,000 euros (2,300 dollars) and attend a remote training organized by the Turkish Defence Ministry.

The legislation was backed by parliamentarians from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its allies, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The bill was approved by Erdoğan and published in the official gazette on August 3.