14.06.2026 15:10
AK Party strongly reacted to the claim that Minister Gürlek would be on the European Parliament's sanctions list. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik stated, "It is nobody's place to disrespectfully target the Republic of Türkiye's Cabinet, our Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, or any member of our Cabinet."
The draft text of the Turkey report, to be voted on in the European Parliament on June 17, reportedly includes a proposal to place Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on a sanctions list. Responding to the allegations against him, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated, "European Parliament reports are advisory political texts. Targeting the judicial institutions of the Republic of Turkey through these texts is a futile effort directed at the national will and the sovereign rights of our state."
Following Akın Gürlek's statements, the first reaction from the AK Party regarding the allegations came. In a written statement, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik said, "It is nobody's place to disrespectfully target the Cabinet of the Republic of Turkey, our Justice Minister Mr. Akın Gürlek, or any member of our Cabinet."
Ömer Çelik's full statement is as follows:
"A European Parliament member speaking about the Republic of Turkey in a 'colonial commissioner' tone is a political disgrace for him and an exploitation of Parliamentary values. The EP needs to seriously address this vulgarity.
This individual, whose lack of political substance is evident from his speech, has no aspect worth taking seriously. Because this person holds the titles 'Member of the European Parliament and shadow rapporteur,' we are compelled to respond out of the respect we show for the 'European Parliament.'
It is nobody's place to disrespectfully target the Cabinet of the Republic of Turkey, our Justice Minister Mr. Akın Gürlek, or any member of our Cabinet. The motives behind this disrespect carried out in the name of the European Parliament must be seriously questioned by this established institution. RESPECT FOR THE SOVEREIGN RIGHTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY cannot be a subject of debate.
The European Parliament was once a qualified 'school of politics and human rights.' Today, it is losing value due to the 'guided political lobbying' activities of some unqualified politicians speaking with the air of a 'colonial commissioner.' It has also been observed that reports prepared about Turkey in past years were designed to satisfy certain political circles rather than reflecting the truth and opening doors to dialogue.
We value any kind of dialogue consistent with the European Parliament's respectable history and fair approaches. However, we will not tolerate any disrespect towards the sovereign rights of the Republic of Turkey.
The European Parliament must strongly rectify its mistakes, especially on fundamental humanitarian issues like GAZA, where it has failed to stand on the right side of history. The European Parliament has the potential to be a strong supporter of the 'ALLIANCE OF HUMANITY,' and its members must first respect this potential. In this context, if the European Parliament wishes to use 'sanctions' tools correctly and respectfully, it should put on its agenda European politicians who support Zionist genocide crimes in Gaza. The EP, which does not adopt sanctions against Zionist genocide-supporting politicians in Europe, has no ground to speak on other matters.
There are many agendas today where some members of the European Parliament, under various influences, act under the tutelage of 'POLITICAL BIGOTRY.' This bigoted political language towards Turkey has no validity.
We reject that some individuals holding the title of European Parliament member target Turkey with 'POLITICAL FANATICISM.' The most appropriate option is for the European Parliament to send these political fanatics to 'DEMOCRACY PRIMARY SCHOOL.'"
Details are coming...