Call to the Ethics Board from former YARSAV President Eminağaoğlu: 'You cannot remain silent'

Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU / 12punto

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel disclosed the assets of Akın Gürlek, who was appointed as Minister of Justice by AKP President Erdoğan, during a press conference. Gürlek stated that Özel's claims were not based on any evidence and that they were "imaginary claims with no basis in records; I am initiating legal proceedings immediately," announcing that he would launch the necessary legal processes, including a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages.

‘TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL IN DEMOCRACIES’

Former YARSAV President Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu made statements regarding the issue. Eminağaoğlu said, "Transparency is essential in democracies. Even before any allegations are made, someone appointed as a minister should disclose their assets to the public themselves. It is still not too late. The only thing Akın Gürlek needs to do is disclose his assets and the reasons for their acquisition to the public—whether they were inherited from his family, whether he made very smart investments, whether the gold he held appreciated, or whether the claims are untrue."

‘TIME TO ACT REGARDING GÜRLEK!’

In his statements, Eminağaoğlu invited the Public Officials Ethics Board to take action regarding Akın Gürlek. He continued, "The allegations against Akın Gürlek do not stem from his ministerial duties; they relate to the period before his ministerial appointment. For this reason, as long as Akın Gürlek continues his ministerial duties, he is subject only to the provisions of parliamentary immunity. The provision added in 2004 during the AKP government to Article 9/2 of Law No. 3628 on Declaration of Assets and Anti-Corruption is very clear:

"(Additional paragraph: 25/5/2004-5176/8 art.) However, the Public Officials Ethics Board has the authority to examine asset declarations when necessary. In order to verify the accuracy of the information in asset declarations, relevant persons and institutions (including banks and private financial institutions) are obliged to provide the requested information to the Board within thirty days at the latest."

Criminal complaints to the prosecutor's office and similar matters are a separate issue. The Public Officials Ethics Board cannot remain silent in the face of these allegations. Therefore, I am calling on the Public Officials Ethics Board to take action. A former President of the Council of State, Zerrin Güngör, was appointed to chair this Board. And a former impartial Minister of Justice, Kenan İpek, was appointed as Deputy Chair!"

Following his statements to 12punto, Eminağaoğlu submitted the matter to the Presidency of the Public Officials Ethics Board. We have accessed the document: