Akın Gürlek gives first response to Eti Maden allegations: He spoke to Yeni Şafak

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, who has been at the center of debates in Turkey for a long time, has once again become one of the main actors on the national agenda following the launch of the İBB investigation. The allegations, which have been frequently brought up since the investigation began on March 19, intensified further with the documents revealed by CHP leader Özgür Özel at a rally.

DOCUMENTED ALLEGATION PRESENTED BY ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

CHP Chairman Özel announced at the “Defending the National Will” rally held in Ümraniye on November 5, 2025, that although Gürlek was appointed as the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor on October 2, 2024, he served as a Board Member at the Luxembourg-based company of Eti Maden Anonim Şirketi until August 6, 2025.

Emphasizing that this situation is contrary to the Judges and Prosecutors Act, it was stated that a member of the judiciary currently in active service cannot receive a salary from another institution.

BROUGHT TO THE PARLIAMENT AGENDA

The allegations in question were also brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın stated that the Chief Prosecutor receiving a salary from a second institution constitutes a violation of the law. It was noted that no response was given to the subject from the AKP benches in Parliament, and that AKP's Akbaşoğlu addressed other topics.

HE SPOKE TO YENİ ŞAFAK

The newspaper Yeni Şafak, whose name was mentioned in the debates regarding the confidentiality of the investigation and the right to the presumption of innocence, had previously come to the agenda for sharing details before the indictment was published.

Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek made evaluations regarding the course of the investigation in his statements to the newspaper's reporter, Burak Doğan.

Gürlek stated that Ertan Yıldız becoming a whistleblower in the İBB indictment was the turning point of the process. He also mentioned that some individuals were not released despite becoming whistleblowers.

The claim that an operation was being conducted only against CHP-run municipalities was rejected by Gürlek. It was noted that businesspeople close to the AKP were also arrested in the investigation.

“HEARINGS MAY BE HELD IN SİLİVRİ”

Chief Prosecutor Gürlek said that the indictment has been submitted to the court and that the trials will begin if it is accepted.

Stating that the hearings could be held in Silivri due to the large list of suspects, he shared the following assessment:

“The indictment has been issued. The trial phase begins with the court's acceptance. Since there are more than 400 suspects, the hearings must be held consecutively and fairly. I think it will likely be held in Silivri due to the density.”

DIRECT RESPONSE TO ETİ MADEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALLEGATIONS

Chief Prosecutor Gürlek clarified the issue of his Eti Maden Board of Directors membership, which was presented with documents, for the first time in his own words. Stating that he personally sent his resignation letter after his appointment, Gürlek used the following expressions in his statement:

“I am a judge-prosecutor by origin. When I became a deputy minister, I left my status as a judge-prosecutor. The HSK (Council of Judges and Prosecutors) convened regarding this matter and removed me from the profession. When I became Chief Prosecutor, the HSK convened again and accepted me into the prosecution. The procedure works like this. I submitted my letter after being appointed as the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor. Did my letter reach them? It reached them. I received a receipt. After this date, the company management meets and takes action. The general assembly meets once a year and they removed me there. Have I signed anything or received a salary from the company after my letter reached them? No, I have not. I have filed lawsuits against those who slandered me on this matter. I do not want to respond because I do not consider it worthy of note. Because they went on the offensive because they were cornered.”