Erdogan appoints controversial prosecutor Akin Gurlek as Justice Minister
President Erdogan has appointed Akin Gurlek as Justice Minister, a figure criticized by the opposition for his rulings in high-profile political cases.
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By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
ANKARA, TURKIYE — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek as the new Minister of Justice, replacing Yilmaz Tunc in a midnight decree that has stirred significant debate across the political spectrum.
Gurlek, known for his involvement in high-profile cases concerning opposition figures and his resistance to Constitutional Court rulings, is viewed by the government as a "brave jurist" while the opposition labels him a "mobile guillotine". His appointment marks a significant shift in the cabinet, alongside the appointment of Mustafa Ciftci as the new Interior Minister.
A career marked by controversial rulings
Born in Nevsehir in 1982 and a graduate of Marmara University Law Faculty, Gurlek rose rapidly through the judicial ranks. He gained prominence as the president of the Istanbul 37th and 14th Heavy Penal Courts, where he presided over cases involving the Gulen movement, the DHKP-C, and various organized crime groups.
However, it was his rulings in political cases that drew public attention. In 2018, a court panel led by Gurlek sentenced former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas to 4 years and 8 months in prison for "terrorist propaganda".
In 2019, his court sentenced Canan Kaftancioglu, the then-Istanbul Provincial Chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), to prison for social media posts, leading to her political ban. Gurlek also signed the decisions sentencing journalists and executives of the opposition newspaper Sözcü to prison for "aiding FETO".
Conflict with the Constitutional Court
One of the most defining moments of Gurlek's career was his defiance of the Constitutional Court (AYM). When the AYM ruled that the rights of CHP MP Enis Berberoglu had been violated and ordered a retrial, the local court presided over by Gurlek refused to implement the decision.
Gurlek’s court accused the AYM of overstepping its jurisdiction, a move that sparked a constitutional crisis. At the time, former CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu likened Gurlek to Zekeriya Oz, a fugitive prosecutor formerly associated with the Gulen movement, calling him "the man who massacred justice".
Investigations into opposition mayors
Gurlek served as Deputy Minister of Justice starting in June 2022 before being appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor in October 2024. His tenure as chief prosecutor was marked by investigations targeting opposition municipalities.
Shortly after taking office in Istanbul, an investigation was launched against Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer, resulting in Ozer's arrest on "terrorism membership" charges and the appointment of a government trustee to the municipality.
Gurlek also oversaw multiple investigations into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, including a corruption probe that led to Imamoglu's brief detention in March 2025 and the ongoing "fools case".
"Mobile Guillotine" polemic
The appointment has reignited a fierce war of words between Gurlek and the opposition. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel has frequently referred to Gurlek as a "mobile guillotine," claiming he is sent to specific posts to execute political orders.
"Akin Gurlek is the one who cuts the neck of justice," Ozel stated, alleging that Gurlek was appointed because no other prosecutor was willing to carry out certain tasks. In response, Gurlek filed lawsuits against Ozel, winning 480,000 TL in compensation for moral damages.
Conversely, the government staunchly defends Gurlek. President Erdogan has previously voiced support without naming him directly, stating, "No one can wag their finger at our judiciary community". MHP Vice Chairman Ismail Ozdemir described Gurlek as a "jurist who works diligently for the peace of society".
