23.07.2025 17:42
Speaking about the "Terror-free Turkey" process, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that the claims regarding "200 people being released and 700 more to be released" following the Constitutional Court's annulment of regulations concerning "those who commit crimes on behalf of an organization without being a member" do not reflect the truth, and he emphasized, "There will be no steps that would hurt the families of martyrs."
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Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç made important statements regarding the "Terror-Free Turkey" process.
Highlights from Minister Tunç's statements are as follows:
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S CANCELLATION DECISION ON "THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION WITHOUT BEING A MEMBER"
"There was a provision for punishing them as if they were members of the organization. This was canceled by the Constitutional Court. This cancellation decision was evaluated by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and no new regulation was made. Here, especially for those participating in meetings and demonstrations, there had been more of a problem in practice. The main examples were related to this. When a person participated in an illegal demonstration, they had a penalty according to Law No. 2911, but there was also a separate punishment for being treated as a member of the organization that organized that illegal demonstration.
Here, the Constitutional Court issued a cancellation decision on the grounds that punishing separately for both crimes due to each act was heavy in terms of the balance of crime and punishment. Accordingly, since no new regulation was made in our Parliament, it resulted in individuals being punished for the crimes they committed, but not being punished as if they were members of the organization.
CLAIM THAT "200 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RELEASED, 700 PEOPLE WILL BE RELEASED"
The figures that have reached the press are also incorrect. There are some exaggerated figures stating that 200 people have been released and 700 people will be released. These are not true; they are completely within the framework of the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the balance of crime and punishment and criminal justice. The news that 200 people, 700 people were released because they were members of the PKK is reflected in a way that causes misunderstandings.
Completely in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court, if a person has been penalized for violating the law on meetings and demonstrations, it would not be legally appropriate to consider them as a member of the organization that organized the meeting and demonstration they attended and punish them as such, according to the legal principle of the Constitutional Court and the balance of crime and punishment, and a decision was made in this direction.
PKK'S DISARMAMENT AND "TERROR-FREE TURKEY"
The issue of a terror-free Turkey is one of the vital issues. The disbandment of the terrorist organization, which has been one of the biggest obstacles to the development and progress of our country for 41 years and has caused us to suffer great pains with thousands of martyrs, and the burning of its weapons was very important. Turkey has overcome a significant turning point in this meaningful period we have entered in the 100th year. And currently, the process regarding the disarmament of the terrorist organization is being followed. Our relevant state institutions are following this process in full coordination. Efforts have also begun to establish a commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on this issue, and necessary discussions are continuing among the parties, and during this process, our hope is for our children to look to the future with confidence and to achieve a peaceful Turkey free from terrorism, and for the biggest obstacle to Turkey becoming one of the strongest countries in the world to be removed, and to strengthen our internal front by continuing our unity and solidarity as a nation, regardless of ethnic origin.
“THERE WILL BE NO STEPS THAT WILL HURT MARTYR FAMILIES”
It is our hope that this process will be successful, and our relevant state institutions are, of course, continuing their work in full coordination. Our National Intelligence Organization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Education, and Ministry of Justice have responsibilities, and we are continuing our work on these issues. Here, especially within the framework of our laws and legal framework, because the Republic of Turkey is a state of law, we are striving to do whatever is necessary to be done in accordance with the law and the constitution. No steps are being taken that would hurt our martyr families or disturb our nation.
MURAT ÇALIK'S HEALTH STATUS
The claim that the Forensic Medicine Institution has caused such damage is completely false. Our Forensic Medicine Institution is a 200-year-old organization. The members of the Forensic Medicine Board make decisions as a board. In this sense, such a situation cannot exist. All hospital documents are evaluated, and forensic medicine has decided to conduct certain examinations. As a result of these examinations, he is still hospitalized at İzmir City Hospital. After these examinations and treatments, Forensic Medicine will issue a new report.
MINGUZZI MURDER CASE
We have been in communication with the family since the moment the incident occurred. The family's pain is very high. It has deeply saddened all of us. An investigation has been initiated regarding those who committed the murder. The trial continues for 4 people. Regarding the threats to the family, 5 out of 8 people received prison sentences of 1 year and 8 months. Two others received sentences of 2 years and 3 months. We are following the case.
AYŞE TOKYAZ MURDER
7 people are currently detained, and 1 person is at large. The investigation is ongoing and will continue effectively. They will be punished as they deserve.
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