Turkish Justice Minister Defends CHP Investigations, Secret Witnesses and Influencer Arrests

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek defended ongoing investigations into opposition-run municipalities, controversial “effective remorse” testimonies, and recent arrests targeting social media influencers and celebrities in a wide-ranging television interview. Gürlek claimed that several figures linked to CHP municipalities had cooperated with prosecutors, while also announcing plans to toughen criminal penalties for minors involved in serious crimes.

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on Friday defended the government’s aggressive judicial campaign targeting opposition municipalities, arguing that prosecutors were acting on concrete evidence, witness statements and financial intelligence reports.

Speaking on TGRT Haber, Gürlek addressed investigations ranging from unsolved murders and illegal betting networks to narcotics operations and corruption probes involving CHP-run municipalities, including the ongoing cases surrounding the Republican People’s Party.

The minister also claimed that several suspects had provided testimony under Türkiye’s controversial “effective remorse” mechanism, which allows reduced sentences in exchange for cooperation with prosecutors.

“No One Has Withdrawn Their Testimony”

Gürlek rejected allegations that suspects involved in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality investigation had retracted earlier statements.

“There is nobody who has withdrawn from effective remorse testimony,” he said. “Adem Soytekin repeated his statements and gave the same testimony again.”

The minister argued that prosecutors possess substantial evidence in the case, including financial crime reports prepared by MASAK, Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board, as well as witness testimony and material evidence.

According to Gürlek, prosecutors believe the alleged organization’s ultimate goal was to “create a financial pool on the road to the presidency and redesign the party.”

He also repeated allegations that money had been distributed during CHP party congresses, citing witness testimony included in court files.

The remarks are likely to intensify political tensions between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and CHP leader Özgür Özel, as opposition figures accuse the government of weaponizing the judiciary ahead of future elections.

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Claims Over Antalya Investigation

Gürlek also addressed the corruption investigation involving Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek and his family members.

He stated that Böcek’s son, Gökhan Böcek, had given testimony under the effective remorse framework.

“I know that Gökhan Böcek’s statements were taken under effective remorse provisions,” Gürlek said, while adding that the investigation remains ongoing.

The justice minister further claimed that former Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım had also provided testimony to prosecutors in Istanbul under the same legal mechanism.

However, Gürlek said he did not know the exact content of Yalım’s testimony.

Government Defends Crackdown on Influencers and Celebrities

The minister also defended recent anti-drug operations targeting celebrities and social media influencers, saying authorities aimed to discourage young people from imitating public figures involved in narcotics use.

“These individuals are known figures in society, people described as social media influencers,” Gürlek said. “We do not want young people to emulate them.”

He argued that authorities were pursuing the entire narcotics supply chain, from users to distributors and international traffickers.

Gürlek also claimed that during his tenure as Istanbul chief prosecutor, authorities had “solved Istanbul’s cocaine map.”

Türkiye has recently seen a series of highly publicized police operations involving influencers, musicians and online personalities accused of drug use, illegal betting promotion and money laundering.

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Tougher Penalties Planned for Juvenile Crime

The justice minister announced that the government is preparing major changes to criminal sentencing rules for minors aged between 15 and 18.

According to Gürlek, rising juvenile crime rates have created a public perception of impunity, prompting the government to prepare harsher penalties under Türkiye’s planned 12th judicial reform package.

He said proposed changes would increase sentences for serious crimes including murder, fraud, sexual offenses and drug trafficking.

“For some crimes, penalties for child offenders will become equal to those applied to adults,” Gürlek stated.

The minister added that the execution system for juvenile offenders could also be revised so that certain prison terms are treated similarly to adult sentences.

Unsolved Crimes and Illegal Betting

Gürlek also announced the establishment of a new department dedicated to investigating unsolved murders.

According to the minister, the newly created unit has already received 638 case files from courts across the country.

He specifically referenced the high-profile disappearance of university student Gülistan Doku, saying authorities expected key witness Umut Altaş to be extradited soon.

“The Gülistan Doku case will be solved, no matter who it implicates,” he said.

On illegal betting, Gürlek described online gambling as “one of the biggest problems facing youth,” arguing that authorities were struggling against constantly evolving digital platforms.

“When we shut down one website, another immediately appears,” he said.

Opposition Criticism Continues

Gürlek dismissed criticism from CHP leader Özgür Özel, noting that the two politicians have multiple legal cases against each other.

“I have won most of them,” Gürlek said. “What Özgür Özel says does not concern me.”

The interview comes amid growing criticism from opposition parties and human rights organizations, which argue that Türkiye’s judiciary has become increasingly politicized in recent years.

The government denies those accusations and insists the courts operate independently.