Akın Gürlek says 'I was targeted': 'These things are not pleasant'

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek shared the difficulties he has faced as a member of the judiciary and their effects on his family. Stating that having his name targeted, especially in the political arena, deeply affected his family, Gürlek expressed that such practices are not pleasant. He recounted that during a mosque visit, people complained to his father, saying, "Your son is like this or that." Gürlek summarized the situation by saying, "I am not affected, thank God, but my family was affected."

"IF I DID NOT DO MY DUTY, I WOULD CONTRADICT MY CONSCIENCE"

Describing his understanding of duty, Akın Gürlek said, "I am a civil servant. The state educated me and enabled me to fulfill these duties." Stating that everything he has done in the judiciary aligns with his conscience, Gürlek emphasized that fulfilling his duty is the most important responsibility for him. "Anyone in my place would have performed their duty in the same way," he said.

'I DID NOT TAKE A STEP BACK DESPITE THREATS'

Minister Gürlek said that he received various threats while in office but did not take a step back despite them. Stating that he faced threats against his family and efforts to discredit him, Gürlek said, "I remained indifferent to these; they do not concern me." He expressed that he focused only on his professional responsibilities while performing his duty.

Gürlek expressed that his name being targeted reflected seriously on his family. Saying, "We all have families and social circles," he stated that it is wrong to be criticized by name and targeted in public squares. Gürlek said, "Because we also have children who go to school. When people hear the name Akın Gürlek, everyone looks in a certain way."

Sharing an incident of being recognized while shopping, Gürlek recounted that when he gave the name "Akın Gürlek" at a checkout counter in a shopping mall, the cashier reacted by asking, "Are you really you?" 

"THESE THINGS ARE NOT PLEASANT"

Gürlek continued his words by saying, "A person is affected. I am not affected, thank God, but everyone certainly has a family, and they are affected."