06.09.2026 15:00
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that since June 1, in investigations conducted regarding forest fires, 16 of 70 suspects have been arrested, judicial control measures have been applied to 32, and arrest warrants have been issued for 2. In the 9 fires that occurred in the last week, 1 person was arrested and 1 person was released under judicial control. Gürlek emphasized that those who burn forests cannot escape justice and stated that the fight will continue.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 16 suspects have been arrested in investigations into forest fires from June 1 to date.
"THEY WILL NOT ESCAPE JUSTICE"
In a statement on his social media account, Minister Gürlek said, "Those who burn our forests will not escape justice. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we continue our efforts with determination to protect our Green Homeland and to bring before justice those who cause forest fires intentionally or through negligence."
16 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Stating that investigations into forest fires are being conducted by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, Minister Gürlek said, "In the investigations conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices regarding 9 new forest fires that occurred during the week of August 30-September 6, 2 suspects were identified. Of the suspects, 1 was arrested, and a judicial control measure was imposed on 1. From June 1, 2026 to date, 70 suspects have been identified in investigations into 103 forest fires that occurred in 27 of our provinces. Of these suspects; 16 were arrested, judicial control measures were imposed on 32 suspects, and arrest warrants were issued for 2 suspects."
"NO ONE'S ACTIONS WILL GO UNPUNISHED"
Minister Gürlek stated, "Our Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, in coordination with our police and gendarmerie organizations, continue to meticulously investigate the causes of the fires, the persons with negligence or intent, and all aspects of the incidents. No one who targets our Green Homeland or causes our forests to burn through negligence will get away with what they have done; we will continue our judicial struggle against forest fires without compromise."