Breaking News: Statement from Akın Gürlek on Alican Uludağ! 'Because the crime scene is Istanbul...'

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek answered questions from members of the press at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey before the AKP Group Meeting.

Speaking about the situation of journalist Alican Uludağ, who was taken to Istanbul after being detained despite living in Ankara, Gürlek stated, "Uludağ is being tried there because the crime scene is Istanbul."

When asked by a journalist, "Why was Alican Uludağ arrested in Istanbul even though he conducts his journalistic activities in Ankara?" Gürlek provided the following assessment:

"There is Article 217A, as you know. Publicly spreading information, publicly spreading false information... Regarding the investigation conducted there in Istanbul, there is no issue in terms of jurisdiction. It is the discretion of the courts; we cannot interfere with that. It is not the place of residence, but the crime scene that is important. Since the crime scene at that time was Istanbul, it was determined as Istanbul. But this is the court's discretion. The process is entirely under the control of the independent judiciary."

"IT IS THE COURT'S DISCRETION, I DO NOT WANT TO COMMENT"

When the journalist remarked, "The article Alican Uludağ was arrested under is not the article you pointed to; he was arrested under TCK 299," Gürlek replied, "It is the court's discretion, I do not want to comment."

"CHILDREN PUSHED TO CRIME" TOPIC

Gürlek stated that along with regulations in the social media sphere, new efforts are also being carried out regarding "children pushed to crime."

In this context, he said, "(Children pushed to crime) We need to open the concept of 'child' to discussion. Unfortunately, children are being encouraged toward a structure prone to violence; we are working on this issue."

REGULATIONS TARGETING SOCIAL MEDIA

Responding to questions about social media, Gürlek stated that efforts regarding children under the age of 15 are being carried out by the Ministry of Family, adding, "Our Ministry of Family is conducting a study for children under 15, and as the Ministry of Justice, we are working on the access of individuals over 15 to social media and the prevention of character assassination via anonymous accounts there."

PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Commenting on the second 'opening' process discussed in Parliament and potential legal regulations, Gürlek pointed out that the authority to regulate belongs to the legislative body, stating, "There will be no perception of personal impunity, general amnesty, or a regulation specific to an individual."