11.02.2026 00:31
With the revision in the Presidential Cabinet, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, known to the public as the "judge of critical cases," has been appointed as the Minister of Justice. Gürlek, who served as the presiding judge in many emblematic cases in Turkey's recent political history, became a member of the cabinet with the latest decree published after various levels in the judicial bureaucracy.
The expected change in the Presidential Cabinet has occurred. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette dated February 11, 2026, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek has been appointed as the Minister of Justice, replacing Yılmaz Tunç. Gürlek, known for his decisions in some of the most critical political cases in Turkey's history, is seen as a harbinger of a new era in the judiciary with his assumption of the ministerial seat.
WHO IS AKIN GÜRLEK? CRITICAL STOPS IN A CAREER
Born in 1982 in Nevşehir, Akın Gürlek graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Law in 2005. Rising rapidly in his judicial career, Gürlek became one of the most talked-about figures in Turkey, especially during his presidency of the Heavy Penal Courts in Istanbul.
DECISIONS THAT ENTERED THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY
Akın Gürlek has been involved in the decision-making of many critical cases:
Selahattin Demirtaş: He signed the decision that imposed a prison sentence for "organization propaganda," preventing his release before the ECtHR's violation ruling.
Canan Kaftancıoğlu: He was the president of the court that sentenced her to 9 years and 8 months in prison due to her social media posts.
Enis Berberoğlu: He is remembered as the judge who resisted the local court by not implementing the Constitutional Court's (AYM) "violation of rights" decision.
Hrant Dink Case: He was at the head of the panel that announced the decision stating that the murder was committed "in line with FETÖ targets."
Sözcü Newspaper & ÇHD cases: He drew attention with prison sentences against journalists and lawyers.
After the MIT Trucks case, he declared former Cumhuriyet newspaper editor-in-chief Can Dündar as "fugitive" and decided to confiscate his properties.
During his last term as chief prosecutor, he continued to make headlines with corruption operations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, and legal processes regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu.
HE HAD BEEN ASSIGNED IN ISTANBUL SINCE OCTOBER 2, 2024
Born in 1982 in Nevşehir, Akın Gürlek graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Law. After starting his judicial career, he served in many provinces, but he made his name known primarily during his presidency of the 14th and 37th Heavy Penal Courts in Istanbul. Appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice in 2022, Gürlek began serving as Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor on October 2, 2024. Most recently, he took the seat of the Minister of Justice with the cabinet revision.
Akın Gürlek, who is married to Elif Gülşah Gürlek, is a father of one child.