Turkish President Erdogan replaces justice and interior ministers 

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKIYE — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya in a midnight decree, appointing Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek and Governor Mustafa Ciftci as their respective successors.

The official decree stated that Tunc and Yerlikaya requested to be excused from their duties, though neither outgoing minister mentioned a request for resignation in their subsequent public statements. This sudden reshuffle brings figures with significant judicial and administrative backgrounds into the cabinet as Turkey navigates complex legal and internal security challenges.

Who is the new Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci?

Mustafa Ciftci, who replaces Ali Yerlikaya, was serving as the Governor of Erzurum prior to his appointment. Born in Konya in 1970, Ciftci graduated from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences in 1995 and later completed a degree at the Faculty of Theology in 2011.

Ciftci has an extensive administrative career, having served as a district governor in several provinces including Aksaray, Erzurum, and Bitlis. He also held high-level positions within the Ministry of Interior’s Personnel General Directorate and served as a chief advisor in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM).

Akin Gurlek appointed as Justice Minister

The new Justice Minister, Akin Gurlek, is a prominent figure in the Turkish judiciary known for presiding over several high-profile and controversial cases. Before being appointed as Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor in October 2024, Gurlek served as the Deputy Minister of Justice and was a member of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK).

During his tenure as a judge, Gurlek was involved in several landmark rulings:

• Constitutional Court Conflict: His court notably declined to implement a "right violation" ruling by the Constitutional Court regarding politician Enis Berberoglu.

• High-Profile Sentences: Gurlek presided over cases resulting in the conviction of former CHP Istanbul Chair Canan Kaftancioglu and several journalists from Sozcu newspaper.

• International Oversight: He sentenced Selahattin Demirtas to prison for "terrorist propaganda" shortly before a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that could have led to Demirtas's release.

Statements from the outgoing ministers

Following the announcement, Ali Yerlikaya expressed his gratitude to President Erdogan on social media, stating he was handing over his duty to his "dear brother Mustafa Ciftci" and thanking the Ministry of Interior personnel for their service.

Similarly, Yilmaz Tunc thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, highlighting his long career within the AKP since 2001. Tunc stated that he would continue to work for the "Century of Turkiye" with the same excitement as his first day in office.

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