Prosecutor who said 'punishing lieutenants is unlawful' reinstated

Public Prosecutor Mehmet Çağlayan, who was suspended after stating that the disciplinary penalties against Kemalist lieutenants were unlawful, has been reinstated. Çağlayan has been appointed to his new post in Fethiye.

Approximately five months ago, Prosecutor Çağlayan criticized the disciplinary actions taken against certain lieutenants known for their Kemalist views, and was subsequently suspended by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) due to these remarks. The decision had sparked controversy within the judiciary and the public.

Public Prosecutor Mehmet Çağlayan, who stated that punishing Kemalist lieutenants was unlawful and was suspended 5 months ago for this reason, has been reinstated and has begun his duties in Fethiye. pic.twitter.com/UAA2riVbHo

— Alican Uludağ (@alicanuludag) April 24, 2025

Following his suspension, many legal experts and non-governmental organizations stated that Çağlayan had been treated unfairly within the framework of freedom of expression and the principles of the rule of law. Following the reactions, as a result of the reviews conducted, the suspension decision issued by the HSK was withdrawn, and it was decided that Çağlayan should be reinstated.

It has been learned that Prosecutor Mehmet Çağlayan has been appointed to the Fethiye district of Muğla as his new place of duty. The news was announced by veteran journalist Alican Uludağ.