13.02.2026 21:40
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, who made evaluations regarding the agenda for the first time since taking office, stated that the 'corruption' investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality began based on the tips and complaints received by them. Minister Gürlek also noted that the allegations of 'pressure on a confidential witness' in the investigation do not reflect the truth.
The new Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, is giving his first interview after taking office.
Speaking in a live broadcast he attended, Minister Gürlek made evaluations regarding the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).
The relevant part of Minister Gürlek's statements is as follows:
HOW DID THE IMM INVESTIGATION BEGIN?
"The trial phase has begun. No one can influence or give instructions to the courts and judges. But with the acceptance of the indictment, the investigation phase is completed and the judicial phase has begun. As Chief Public Prosecutors, we do not look at individuals. We look at whether there is a crime or not. There were reports and complaints, and some applications came from within themselves. If there is reasonable suspicion, the Public Prosecutor is obliged to initiate an investigation. We also started the investigation based on the reports and complaints received. We were already examining the money towers file. There were serious allegations regarding the money towers. Just because the investigation has started, it does not mean that anyone is guilty; the investigation can be initiated to uncover the truth.
Details are coming...