19.02.2026 11:20
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek emphasized a "zero tolerance" approach to illegal gambling and drug trafficking. Stating that "we have solved the system," Minister Gürlek said that operations against illegal gambling and drug networks targeting especially young people will continue resolutely in all 81 provinces.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek gave important messages on many topics, from the fight against illegal gambling and drugs to the investigations against the FETÖ organization, and the functioning of the judiciary through the ALO Justice line, in an interview with Yeni Şafak newspaper.
"OPERATIONS WILL CONTINUE WITH DETERMINATION IN 81 PROVINCES"
Emphasizing that the fight against crime will continue uncompromisingly and without interruption, Gürlek stated that operations against illegal gambling and drug networks targeting especially young people will continue with determination in 81 provinces.
"WE HAVE SOLVED THE ILLEGAL BETTING SYSTEM"
Expressing that he fought "to the end" against illegal gambling during his tenure as the Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul, Gürlek said, "We had very large operations in this regard. We have solved the illegal betting system. These betting companies constantly change their methods, just like in fraud. The same method is followed in illegal betting as well. However, we are determined in this matter."
"WE WILL MAKE AN ADDITION TO THE 12TH JUDICIAL PACKAGE"
Highlighting that the 12th Judicial Package concerning the concept of 'children in conflict with the law', which has recently occupied the public agenda, will be addressed, Gürlek stated, "We will work on an addition to the 12th Judicial Package regarding children in conflict with the law. We will carry out this issue in consultation with our Ministry of Family." Providing information about the timeline of the works, Gürlek said, "We plan to bring this to our esteemed parliament by accelerating this issue until summer. We also want to change the definition of children in conflict with the law. In Europe, especially, the ages of individuals defined as children in conflict with the law are 10. We are continuing our studies on these matters."
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW STREET GANGS TO OPERATE"
Emphasizing that criminal organizations and street gangs exploit legal loopholes, Gürlek stated, "Some regulations were made in this area in the 11th Judicial Package. Preparations for the 12th Judicial Package are ongoing." Gürlek, who mentioned that he called the grieving families after the Atlas and Minguzzi murders, evaluated the age range concerning the concept of children, saying, "We need to address the concept of children. In terms of our criminal law, children aged 12-18 have criminal responsibilities. In our penal code, there is a group for ages 12-15 and another for ages 15-18. We will work on these. We will definitely not allow street gangs to operate."
"BTK WILL BE INVOLVED"
Referring to the regulatory work stated to be carried out in the field of social media, Gürlek said, "As far as I know, there is a legislative work regarding social media. We are in close contact with our Ministry of Family on this issue, and we will manage this work together." Gürlek noted that after the law passes through the Parliament, the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) will be involved, explaining that unverified accounts may be given a grace period, stating, "After the law passes through the parliament, BTK will be involved. A grace period will be given to those accounts. Verifications can be made during that period."
"IDENTITY VERIFICATION WILL BE ESSENTIAL"
Emphasizing that identity verification will be essential, Gürlek stated, "In other words, if a person is going to comment or publish a post on social media, their identity will definitely be known. They will not be able to do this with a fake account or a fake account from abroad without verification." Gürlek, emphasizing criminal responsibility, continued his remarks: "If a person makes a statement on social media and targets someone, since that person's identity is known, their criminal responsibility will also begin. I attach great importance to the legislative work regarding social media."
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FETÖ WITH DETERMINATION"
In his speech, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek gave a message of determination in the fight against terrorism, stating, "We will continue to fight FETÖ with determination. There can be no relaxation in this matter."