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Adalet Bakanı Akın Gürlek'ten Kritik Açıklamalar! "12. Yargı Paketi İle Yeni Adımlar Atacağız"

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Justice Reform Overview (“12th Judicial Reform Package”)

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek outlines Turkey’s planned judicial and criminal justice reforms under a “12th Judicial Reform Package.” He emphasizes priorities focused on:

  • Fighting crime effectively
  • Speeding up proceedings
  • Protecting rights
  • Strengthening institutional capacity

Gürlek’s central message is that justice should be fast, fair, and evidence-based, and should focus not only on punishment, but also on:

  • the quality of investigations,
  • victim protection,
  • reintegration of offenders.

Core Policy and Reform Themes

1) Deterrence and effectiveness in criminal justice

The government aims to ensure crime does not go “unpunished,” while stressing that justice is more than sanctions. It also includes:

  • effective investigations,
  • fair trials,
  • victim rights,
  • offender reintegration.

2) Updating crime-fighting structures for modern offenses

Because criminal groups increasingly use digital tools, financial systems, crypto assets, and social media, Gürlek argues outdated approaches are insufficient.

The plan includes:

  • Creating new specialized units within the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs
  • Strengthening institutional capacity across domains such as:
    • unresolved crimes,
    • terrorism,
    • narcotics,
    • economic crimes,
    • financing of terrorism,
    • money laundering,
    • digital security,
    • disinformation campaigns.

3) Faster, specialized investigations and improved coordination

A key objective is quicker, more effective investigations supported by improved coordination among:

  • public prosecutor offices
  • related bodies

He also highlights the need for better-functioning courthouses and improved court performance.

Major Crime Priorities

Unsolved cases (murder cases)

The ministry states it has initiated proceedings to resolve 19 unsolved murder cases by using:

  • advances in forensic science,
  • digital data,
  • technical capabilities,
  • inter-institutional coordination.

Street gangs / youth-targeting groups

Combating gang activity is described as a top priority. The approach targets not only leaders and armed members, but also:

  • finances,
  • connections,
  • arms supply networks,
  • drug-trafficking-linked assets,
  • social-media propaganda used to recruit young people.

Drug trafficking

Drug trafficking is presented as both a crime and an attack on social order and on youth/families. The strategy focuses on:

  • street dealers,
  • organization leadership,
  • financing,
  • distribution networks,
  • money laundering,

with emphasis on asset seizure and tracking financial transactions. Protecting youth is framed as legal, moral, and humanitarian.

FETÖ-related struggle

Gürlek reiterates that the fight against FETÖ will continue without interruption, describing it as long-term infiltration of state institutions.

He calls for:

  • no complacency in investigations,
  • continued work on internal structure, finances, safe houses, and foreign connections,
  • evidence-based, fair-trial standards.

Illegal betting and online gambling

This is described as a multifaceted threat that harms families and finances organized crime. Measures include:

  • restricting use of bank accounts and mobile phone lines,
  • strengthening cybercrime units,
  • monitoring crypto and e-money transfers,
  • tracking advertising and money-laundering channels.

Sophisticated fraud and tech-enabled scams

Prosecutors are urged to act swiftly against fraud networks using:

  • investment platforms,
  • phone scams,
  • social media ads,
  • compromised bank accounts.

The plan includes:

  • increasing responsibilities for banks and telecom operators,
  • further strengthening cyber and digital evidence capabilities,
  • training for AI-assisted analysis.

Justice Speed, Procedure, and Rights Protection

  • Justice delayed undermines justice: The ministry stresses timely case conclusions and preventing unnecessary prolongation of investigations.
  • Mediation and expedited/simplified procedures: Gürlek cites that:
    • 83% of mediation-negotiation cases are resolved through mediation,
    • about 1,448,000 cases were concluded under expedited and simplified proceedings.
  • Presumption of innocence / reputation protections: Regulations are said to prevent citizens from being labeled suspects based on vague or unsubstantiated complaints.

Rules under the 12th Judicial Reform Package

Key rules include:

  • The interval between hearings should not exceed 3 months (with exceptions for mandatory written procedures).
  • Notary documents may be sent directly to courts or prosecutors to reduce bureaucracy.
  • Limiting misuse of expert-witness practices by avoiding unnecessary experts when legal knowledge suffices.
  • A “more transparent, proportionate, deterrent” sanctions system for “IBAN loan” schemes (criminal organizations obtaining bank accounts).
  • Increased safeguards for personal data in digital materials.
  • More predictable legal processes and strengthening appeal/cassation review.

Gender Equality, Children, and Citizen Access

Violence against women

Priorities include:

  • effective implementation of Law No. 6284,
  • swift protective measures,
  • preventing secondary victimization,
  • effective investigations into perpetrators,

with a warning that delays can have irreparable consequences.

Juvenile justice

The “best interests of the child” is emphasized, alongside justice for serious crimes. Focus includes:

  • preventing reoffending,
  • strengthening education and rehabilitation,
  • keeping children away from criminal environments through strengthened juvenile courts and related institutions.

ALO Justice Hotline

A more accessible communication system is planned to let citizens directly submit issues, requests, and suggestions.

Accountability in Civil Society (Donations Investigation)

Gürlek addresses scrutiny of allegations involving donations collected through civil society activity. He frames the investigation as demonstrating the state’s commitment to protecting citizens’ trust.

He stresses that civil society organizations must:

  • remain transparent and accountable,
  • not serve as a “shield” against legal oversight.

He also warns against attempts to pressure independent courts or move judicial processes into an ideological/hashtag-driven arena, reiterating that courts decide based on evidence and law.

Closing Message

He thanks judges and public prosecutors and frames judicial reform as an ongoing process requiring the “human element,” concluding that reforms depend on the knowledge, experience, and responsibility of judiciary and ministry staff.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Akın Gürlek — Justice Minister of Türkiye

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