06.07.2026 18:20
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek strongly responded to European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Sánchez Amor, who criticized that Ekrem İmamoğlu's three hearings are scheduled on the same day. Gürlek stated: "This is an unacceptable attitude that targets the Turkish judiciary and attempts to put judicial processes under political pressure. No one can wag their finger at Turkish courts; they cannot interfere to influence ongoing proceedings, pressure the Turkish judiciary, or meddle in the internal affairs of our country."
European Parliament Rapporteur for Turkey Nacho Sánchez Amor reacted to the fact that Ekrem İmamoğlu's three hearings fell on the same day. "It is no coincidence that the same person is forced to defend themselves in three different cases on the same day. Statistically, this is not possible in an independent judiciary." Justice Minister Akın Gürlek gave a harsh response to Amor.
MINISTER GÜRLEK: JUDICIAL AUTHORITY IS EXERCISED BY INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL COURTS
Minister Gürlek said in a statement on his social media account: "The Republic of Turkey is an independent, sovereign and democratic state of law. Judicial authority is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation. The monitoring of judicial processes in our country by international circles is an indication of Turkey's democratic maturity and transparency.
"STATEMENTS TARGETING THE TURKISH JUDICIARY ARE UNACCEPTABLE"
On the other hand, making statements as if passing judgment at the courthouse doors about ongoing proceedings is an unacceptable attitude that targets the Turkish judiciary and attempts to subject judicial processes to political pressure.
Turkey's judicial processes proceed not according to the political agendas, ideological expectations, or lobbying activities of foreign parliamentarians; but according to the Constitution, laws, evidence in the case file, and the discretion of independent courts.
"NO ONE CAN INTERFERE IN OUR COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS"
I clearly state from here: No one can wag a finger at Turkish courts; attempt to influence ongoing proceedings, pressure the Turkish judiciary, or interfere in our country's internal affairs.
Under the leadership of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has come this far by protecting its national will against tutelage interests, coup enthusiasts, terrorist organizations, and circles trying to give lessons on democracy from outside.
Turkey is a great state with the power to enforce its own law, the will to protect its democracy, and the sovereignty to determine its future. We will not allow any political agenda that targets our national will, our judicial organization, and our state of law."