Akın Gürlek, who made statements in the television program he attended after he was appointed as the Minister of Justice, responded to the question about the events that took place during his swearing in at the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Gürlek said, “I was saddened on behalf of myself. As the Minister of Justice, we work on behalf of the institution. The events in the parliament upset me.” Gürlek also said, “Our fight against drugs will continue. With the operations we carried out, we reached 4 distributors who were distributing drugs to Istanbul.”.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that he was saddened by the attacks on the rostrum and the discussions that took place during his swearing in at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality announced that the investigation was initiated due to reasonable suspicion in line with the denunciations and complaints received and that the trial phase has begun.
He stated that operations against illegal betting, soccer fixing, drugs, FETÖ and gangs are ongoing and legal arrangements will be made on these issues.
Akın Gürlek, who was appointed as the Minister of Justice with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, made statements in the television program he attended. Speaking on A Haber live broadcast, Gürlek answered journalists' questions.
“WE WILL SERVE AS MUCH AS WE CAN”
Gürlek started his speech by saying, “I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. President for his trust and appreciation for entrusting me with this important duty. We will serve for our nation on the path of justice as much as we can.”.
“I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THE OFFICE, I AM THE CUSTODIAN”
“Until yesterday, I was in front of you as the Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul,” Gürlek said, “Istanbul is a city of 17 million people. It was granted to me to be the chief prosecutor of this city. Now, as you know, I am the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey with the appreciation and consent of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We should not forget this; I am the Minister of Justice of 86 million citizens. I am the custodian of this office, not the owner.”.
SPOKE FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN PARLIAMENT
Gürlek responded to a question about the incidents that took place during his swearing in at the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Gürlek said, “It was a very different environment for me. First, our President issued a decree; the next morning we went to the Ministry of Justice. Not only the AK Party but also the deputy group chairmen of other parties were there. There was a very sincere atmosphere, there was a polite atmosphere. I went up to the rostrum and while the text was being read, suddenly there was a commotion. I honestly didn't know there was so much confusion. Suddenly attacks on the rostrum started. Occupying the parliament, where the will of the people is manifested, with these discussions, occupying the rostrum... I mean, these things did not suit us, did not suit very respected MPs. Most importantly, it did not befit the national will that elected the MPs. As the Minister of Justice, we work on behalf of the institution. The events in the parliament upset me.”.
HOW DID THE IBB INVESTIGATION BEGIN?
When asked about the IBB investigation, Gürlek responded as follows: “The trial phase has started. No one can give suggestions and instructions to courts and judges. But with the acceptance of the allegation, the investigation phase is completed and the judicial phase has begun. As Chief Public Prosecutors, we do not look at individuals. We look at whether there is a crime or not. There were denunciations and complaints, and some of them were internal applications. If there is reasonable suspicion, the Public Prosecutor has to start an investigation. We started the investigation in line with the denunciations and complaints. We were already examining the money towers file. There were serious allegations about the money towers. No one is guilty just because an investigation has started, an investigation can be launched to reveal the truth.”
“AZİZ İHSAN AKTAŞ PROVED HIS ALLEGATIONS”
Aziz İhsan Aktaş, when asked about the criminal organization, said, “There is absolutely no individual based on witness statements. So there is material evidence. There are MASAK reports, as you said, there are HTS traffic and money movements. All of these were analyzed one by one within the scope of the file; both material evidence, HTS records and MASAK reports. In other words, witness statements alone are not evidence, as you already know, the Court of Cassation has already made a statement on this issue. The evidence within the scope of the file, I'm saying it again since the indictment has been opened, the confidentiality order has been lifted, these are already in the indictment. It was discussed in the public for days.”.
ILLEGAL BETTING AND MATCH-FIXING IN FOOTBALL
Gürlek's statements are as follows: “We need to get rid of illegal betting. If there is a lack of legal regulation, we will make legal regulation. The method is constantly changing in illegal betting. We carried out important operations in soccer match-fixing. We did not look at the titles of the individuals, we did not look at who they were. Football must be clean. We carried out very sensitive work on this issue. We looked at MASAK reports, HTS records. According to our laws, it is not a crime for a football player to bet. For it to be a crime, he has to bet on his own match. We will go to the end of this and root it out.
FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS
Drugs are the biggest problem in this country. Mothers and families come to me. We have taken the necessary steps against drugs. God willing, we will do our best during the term of the Ministry of Justice. There is a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years for those who smoke drugs. We will go to the end of this matter. The system in drugs works like this. With the operations we carried out, we reached 4 distributors who distribute drugs in Istanbul. Then you reach the baron. We are targeting drug barons. Our fight against drugs will continue.
“EXHIBITIONISM IS A CRIME UNDER THE LAW”
There is a crime called exhibitionism in our law. There is a different purpose here. They make a living from here and trap people. In the new period, if this is being propagandized on social media, if young people are being trapped, we will show sensitivity within the scope of crimes against public morality.
“I ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO WORKING ON SOCIAL MEDIA”
There is a lot of information pollution on social media. Trials are being held, judgments are being made. Our judges and prosecutors are being lynched. There is a law on social media. If a person is going to publish an article there, their identity will definitely be true. They will not be able to do this with a fake account.
FIGHT AGAINST FETUS
The fight against FETÖ will continue. I was given the chance to handle big cases. It is a threat to the state and the country. The new organization is also being dealt with. The fight will go to the end. They are constantly changing their shape and name. FETÖ is our red line. Our fight against it will continue.
“WE CARRIED OUT OPERATIONS AGAINST GANGS”
When I was the chief prosecutor, we carried out all the operations against the Daltons and the Caspers. It is encouraged. We have shortcomings in terms of law, but arrangements were made for this in the 11th Judicial Package. We are working on the 12th package, we will make arrangements for this.
I have always been with the Minguzzi family, I called them. Until the age of 18, they are considered children in the law. We will also regulate the age ranges. It is referred to as a child dragged into crime in the penal code. the concepts may change. We will work on it.”