New role for Furkan Torlak, whose name appeared in drug investigation, has been announced

Following the start of Akın Gürlek's tenure as Minister of Justice, who was appointed from his position as Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul by presidential decree, a notable appointment was made. Furkan Torlak, whose name previously appeared in a drug investigation and who left his post during that process, has been brought on as the Press Advisor to the Ministry of Justice.

A NOTABLE DETAIL AT THE HANDOVER CEREMONY

At the handover ceremony held yesterday at the Ministry of Justice, one of the individuals standing right behind the new Minister, Akın Gürlek, was Furkan Torlak. As of today, it has been confirmed that Torlak has been appointed as the Press Advisor to the Ministry of Justice.

HIS NAME HAD APPEARED IN A DRUG INVESTIGATION

Furkan Torlak's name had appeared in whistleblower testimonies during the drug investigation that led to the arrest of former Habertürk Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy. Following this development, Torlak had resigned from his position as Coordinator of the Center for Combating Disinformation under the Presidency's Directorate of Communications on December 13.

Torlak announced his resignation in a written statement to the public. In his statement, Torlak noted that he had known Mehmet Akif Ersoy since childhood, emphasized that there were no criminal accusations against him, and stated that he had made the decision to resign in order to prevent the institution he served from being tarnished.

CEM KÜÇÜK'S STATEMENTS HAD BECOME A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Speaking on a program broadcast on TGRT Haber, Cem Küçük had made various allegations regarding Furkan Torlak in his assessments of the drug operation in December 2025. Küçük had put forward claims regarding Torlak's lifestyle in Ankara, his assets, and his activities within the bureaucracy, and had stated that he should undergo a drug test. It was later announced that the drug test Torlak had taken came back negative.

REACTION FROM CHP IN PARLIAMENT

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir reacted to Furkan Torlak's appointment at the Ministry of Justice during his speech at the General Assembly of Parliament. Reminding that Torlak's name had appeared in a drug investigation, Emir criticized the new minister for arriving at his post with Torlak by his side.

HIS NEW ROLE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

Following all these developments, it has become clear as of today that Furkan Torlak has started his duty as the Press Advisor to the Ministry of Justice.