03.05.2026 00:33
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the definition of "criminal" has changed in the digitalizing world and announced the ministry's new security paradigm. Minister Çiftçi said, "We respond to changing crime profiles with artificial intelligence, data analysis, and our high-tech monitoring capacity; by going beyond classical methods, we elevate our state's reflexes to the highest level."
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, who met with the editors-in-chief of media organizations in Istanbul, made statements on the agenda. Sharing important information about the ministry's activities at the meeting, Çiftçi noted that the definition of a criminal has changed in the digitalizing world and announced the ministry's new security paradigm.
CROSSING THE BORDER IS NOT ENOUGH TO ESCAPE TRACKING
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi stated that 97.2% of intentional homicide cases during the AK Party governments have been solved and that, with the strengthening of criminal capacity, there have been no new unsolved case records from 2023 to the first quarter of 2026. Emphasizing that all national and international mechanisms are being utilized to apprehend murder perpetrators, Çiftçi said, “Red notices have been issued for 262 individuals. The process continues for 94 individuals. Crossing borders does not mean escaping tracking.”
THE STATE MACHINE DOES NOT STOP, IT ADVANCES
Minister Çiftçi emphasized that they have mobilized all state resources for the manifestation of justice in the Gülistan Doku case. Noting that at the current stage of the case, a governor, police chief, and chief public prosecutor worked in coordination, Çiftçi stated, “Our primary priority in the case is to reveal the material truth without leaving any doubt; in this context, we determined that Umut Altaş, a key figure in the case, illegally entered the USA via Mexico, and immediately issued a red notice for him. As the ministry, we have decisively pursued not only fugitives but also allegations in the investigation process, and with an approval order dated April 17, 2026, we assigned civil inspectors regarding allegations of evidence tampering against Tuncay Sonel, the then-Governor of Tunceli; subsequently, he was suspended and arrested by the court to which he was referred. With an approval order dated April 20, 2026, two additional Civil Inspectors and two Police Inspectors were assigned. Thus, the effectiveness of both the allegations and the investigation process has been examined in all aspects. I firmly state that by operating the security and justice mechanisms of our state at the highest level, we will deliver to justice anyone who has negligence or involvement in this process, regardless of their status; because no one has the privilege to commit a crime or turn a blind eye to crime.”
A SECURITY BOARD WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN EVERY SCHOOL
Providing information on measures to be taken after the attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa, Minister Çiftçi said, “We did not see the issue merely as a public order matter; we re-evaluated school safety in all its dimensions. We sent a circular to 81 provincial governorships containing the measures to be implemented. The 'school safety' meetings, currently held twice a year in February and September, will now be held regularly in the first week of each month under the coordination of our governors and district governors. A 'security board' will be established in every school. This board will consist of the school principal, guidance counselor, school coordination law enforcement officer, and a social services expert affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services.”
Listing the seven-step security model, Çiftçi stated:
- Risk and threat analyses will be renewed.
- Physical security measures will be increased.
- An early warning system will provide rapid response to potential risks.
- Community health centers will be assigned monitoring duties.
- Guidance-security coordination will be ensured.
- Ministries will work in coordination.
- Training and awareness activities will be conducted for emergencies.
WITH THE NEW SECURITY PARADIGM: WE WILL SHOW THE REFLEX TO DRY UP THE VEINS OF CRIME
Noting that they have redrawn the course of the fight against crime in the changing world order around digitalization and artificial intelligence, Minister Çiftçi announced the new vision of the ministry. Minister of Interior Çiftçi said, “We are implementing a proactive security architecture that not only keeps a tally of crime but nips it in the bud and eliminates risks in advance. We respond to crime profiles changing with digitalization, migration mobility, and social fractures with our artificial intelligence, data analysis, and high-tech tracking capacity; we go beyond classical methods and elevate the reflexes of our state to the highest level. As the Ministry of Interior, with this new paradigm nourished by academic data and strategic analyses, we are securing our children and our future by fighting not only the criminal but every vein that feeds crime; sound policies cannot be established without solid data. Lasting results cannot be achieved without correct analysis. This struggle is not a struggle that can be carried solely on the shoulders of public institutions.”
IN SECURITY, THE MEDIA HAS A GREAT ROLE
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi drew attention to the importance of preventive strategies and social cooperation in the fight against crime and called on the media. Çiftçi stated, “We are aware that we must act together with families, schools, universities, media, civil society, local governments, and all segments of society; ensuring that our children grow up in safer environments, without being involved in crime, falling under the shadow of violence, or falling into the clutches of digital threats, is our most fundamental shared responsibility. One of the strongest pillars of the Turkey Century vision, pursued under the leadership of our esteemed President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is the peace of Turkey, and the most effective way to make this peace permanent is to prevent crime before it occurs. At this point, you, our valuable press members, are among our most important stakeholders; because security is reinforced not only by field operations but also by correct communication and social awareness. We are determined to continue these consultation meetings on a more productive ground by considering each other's views, criticisms, and contributions; indeed, with the 'new security paradigm,' we are not content with an understanding that merely chases crime, but we are building a strong future for our citizens that prevents crime before it is born and prepares safe tomorrows for our children.”
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR, 257 CRIMINALS SOUGHT WITH RED NOTICES WERE EXTRADITED TO OUR COUNTRY
Providing information about extradition and domestic Interpol operations in the first quarter of 2026, Minister Çiftçi said: “A total of 219 foreign individuals from 39 countries sought by Interpol were apprehended in our country, including 89 for smuggling and organized crimes, 17 for narcotics, 80 for terrorism, 33 for public order offenses, and 54 for religious exploitation. Of these, 47 are leaders or members of organized crime groups. In the first quarter of the year, extraditions of criminals we sought with red notices were made from 30 countries. A total of 257 individuals have been extradited, including 112 for public order offenses, 108 for smuggling and organized crimes, 31 for narcotics, 6 for terrorism, 2 for PKK, and 2 for religious exploitation. Of these, 58 are leaders or members of organized crime groups.”
NO PASSAGE FOR DRUGS
Sharing data on drugs from January to April, Çiftçi noted that 80,960 incidents related to drugs occurred as of April 16, and the number of operations carried out was 15,815.
Stating that as a result of the operations, 13,633 people were arrested, Çiftçi announced that 15 tons 700 kg of drugs such as cocaine and cannabis, 44 million 100 thousand narcotic pills, and 40 thousand cannabis plants were seized.
28 THOUSAND ILLEGAL BETTING SITES BLOCKED IN CYBER PATROLS
Noting that 86,937 individuals and accounts were identified as suspicious in the first three months of the year within the scope of cyber patrols, Minister Çiftçi announced that a total of 2,072 operations were carried out, including 863 for online fraud, 386 for online illegal betting, 667 for online child pornography, 141 for cybercrimes, and the rest for combating crime proceeds. Stating that 3,093 people were arrested in the operations, Minister Çiftçi said: "Within the scope of combating cybercrimes, 17,933 URLs were blocked. 27,321 social media accounts and 28,629 illegal betting sites were closed to access."
FATAL ACCIDENT RATE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DECREASED COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR
Providing information about traffic accidents, Minister Çiftçi stated: "According to the comparison between 2025 and 2026 for the period of January 1 to April 16, the number of inspected vehicles increased by 6.2 percent. The number of vehicles subjected to action decreased by 12.9 percent. There was a 16.2 percent decrease in the rate of fatal accidents and an 11.1 percent decrease in the daily loss of life rate. Again, between February 27 and April 16, compared to the previous year; there was a 92.6 percent decrease in reckless weaving, 65.3 percent in failure to obey a stop warning, 37.9 percent in speeding violations, 30.3 percent in driving without a license, 26.6 percent in cell phone violations, and a 9.9 percent decrease in red light violations."
NO PASSAGE FOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Providing information about the operations carried out against terrorist organizations in the first quarter of the year, Çiftçi said, "In the first quarter of the year, 466 operations were carried for a Terror-Free Turkey. 5,900 UAV search and scan activities were conducted. 83 terrorists surrendered through persuasion methods. 848 operations were carried out against organizations that exploit religion. 889 operations were carried out against FETÖ. 246 operations were carried out against DHKP/C, MLKP, and other leftist organizations."
NO PASSAGE FOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Providing information about the operations carried out against terrorist organizations in the first quarter of the year, Çiftçi said, "466 operations were carried out against the PKK terrorist organization. Within the scope of uninterrupted search and scan activities, 5,900 UAV search and scan activities were conducted. 10 shelters/bunkers were destroyed. 83 terrorists surrendered through persuasion methods." Minister Çiftçi announced that 848 operations were carried out against organizations that exploit religion, 889 against FETÖ, and 246 against DHKP/C, MLKP, and other leftist organizations.
IRAN BORDER LINE CLOSELY MONITORED
Providing information on border security in the context of the Iran-USA-Israel tension, Minister Çiftçi stated: "Our esteemed President is conducting an intense diplomatic traffic to ensure calm in the region. With our physical security infrastructure, technological capabilities, human resources, and institutional coordination, we have a strong level of preparedness and control on our border line. As of now, there is no incidental problem on our border line. According to data from the last 10 days, there is a decrease of 4 percent, 5 percent, and 75 percent, respectively, at the Kapıköy, Gürbulak, and Esendere border gates opening from Iran to our country. This table shows that there is no unusual activity at our border gates. Passages from Iran to Turkey are being followed very closely. Turkey is a strong state that takes precautions in advance for border security, monitors the field moment by moment, and does not leave room for any weakness."