A wave of investigations targeting politicians and journalists... Who has Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek launched investigations against?

Since taking office, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek has launched a series of investigations against journalists and politicians.

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A wave of investigations targeting politicians and journalists... Who has Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek launched investigations against?

Following Prosecutor Akın Gürlek's appointment on October 9, 2024, a series of investigations have been launched against journalists, politicians, and various institutions.

The investigations have resonated with the public and have naturally become the target of criticism.

The process, which began with the investigation launched against journalist Furkan Karabay on November 9, 2024, continued with investigations directed at former AKUT President Nasuh Mahruki on November 13, 2024, and journalists İsmail Saymaz and Fatih Altaylı on November 22, 2024.

While an investigation was launched against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel on November 29, 2024, journalist Özlem Gürses on December 20, 2024, and the Istanbul Bar Association, the T24 news website, and journalist Seyhan Avşar on December 22, 2024, were among the names and institutions included in the investigations.

While an investigation was launched against Independent Turkey Party (BTP) Chairman Hüseyin Baş on December 25, 2024, this process also came to encompass television channels as 2025 arrived.

While investigations into television channels were launched on January 17, 2025, investigations were opened against CHP Youth Branch Chairman Cem Aydın, Victory Party (Zafer Partisi) Chairman Ümit Özdağ, and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on January 20, 2025.

The scope and reasons for the investigations are a subject of public debate. Criticism has intensified around the view that these investigations are a tool of pressure against freedom of expression and democratic rights.

This process, which gained momentum with the start of Prosecutor Akın Gürlek's tenure, is expected to continue to have repercussions in the worlds of politics and media.