Twelve more Turkish police officers have been formally arrested as part of an investigation into allegations that they illegally wiretapped Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

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An Istanbul judge issued the arrest order while the officers' families held a vigil outside the courthouse.

Media reports said the arrested officers included Fuat Ali Yilmazer, the former chief of Istanbul's intelligence unit. 

Yilmazer is accused of organizing and leading a criminal gang, according to CNN Turk. 

The other officers face charges ranging from forgery to espionage.

More than 100 officers were detained earlier this week as part of an inquiry into wiretapping activities that police carried out to monitor communications of a suspected terrorist group in 2010.

Police tapped the phones of Turkish ministers, including Erdogan, and the country's intelligence chief during the alleged anti-terrorist operation.

The wiretapping led to the arrest of family members of three cabinet ministers on corruption allegations, and the release of audio recordings linking Erdogan to wrongdoings. 

Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said the wiretapping inquiry would likely reach the judiciary.

Government critics see the widening probe as part of Erdogan's crackdown on opponents ahead of the August 10 elections.

The prime minister denies he is interfering with  the investigation.

Erdogan has accused followers of his estranged ally Fethullah Gulen of various crimes, including staging anti-government protests in 2013 and making up corruption allegations against him in a bid to remove him from power. 

Supporters of Gulen, an influential U.S.-based Islamic scholar, occupied key posts in the police and judiciary during Erdogan's rule. 

Former policer Yakup Saygili said Erodogan was making true his promise to carry out a "witch hunt" against those who oppose him.  

Reuters quoted Saygili as saying, "Erdogan gave the signal that an operation would happen, and so it did."

Saygli led an investigation into corruption charges against Erdogan's close associates.

He was fired in March.  

Tagsturkey wiretap probe, tayyip erdogan