11.02.2026 00:30
After the appointment of Akın Gürlek as the Minister of Justice, Yılmaz Tunç made a statement saying, "From now on, we will continue to work for our country and our nation, and I wish Akın Gürlek great success in his duties."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's decision published in the Official Gazette has resulted in the dismissal of Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç. Akın Gürlek has been appointed in Tunç's place.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM YILMAZ TUNÇ
Yılmaz Tunç made a statement on his social media account following the appointment decision. In his statement, Tunç wished success to Akın Gürlek.
In his statement, Tunç said, "Being alongside our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and dedicating ourselves to our cause has always been a source of pride for us." He wrote, "The responsibility to serve our nation and state has further increased with the appointment of the Ministry of Justice to me by our President on June 4, 2023, after our duties as the Founding District Chairman of the AK Party, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Justice Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and Deputy Group Chairman of the AK Party in our blessed journey that began in 2001."
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO SWEAT FOR OUR COUNTRY"
Tunç also stated, "During our 23 years of governments, we have had the honor of contributing to the reforms aimed at achieving high-standard democracy in our country and strengthening the principle of the Rule of Law under the leadership of our President."
From now on, we will continue to work with the same enthusiasm as on the first day for our country and our nation, for the Century of Turkey.
He expressed, "I wish great success to Mr. Akın Gürlek, who has been appointed as the Minister of Justice with the preferences of our President."
WHO IS AKIN GÜRLEK?
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.
During his last chief prosecutor term, he continued to make headlines with corruption operations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, and the legal processes regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu.
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 became 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 the Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul on October 2, 2024. Most recently, he took the seat of the Ministry of Justice with the cabinet revision.
Akın Gürlek, who is married to Elif Gülşah Gürlek, is a father of one child.