Were HSYK members pre-allocated? 'Cronies' judiciary' discussed in the lobbies: AKP and MHP have reached an agreement

Nefes newspaper columnist Nuray Babacan shared striking inside information ahead of the new appointments to be made to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). According to Babacan's article, 5 of the 9 members expected to be determined at the end of this month will be selected by the TBMM, while the remaining 4 members will be appointed by the President. However, according to the corridors, it is being discussed that these members have largely already been allocated.

HAVE AKP AND MHP REACHED AN AGREEMENT?

Babacan claimed that 3 of the 5 members to be determined by the TBMM have been left to the AKP and 2 to the MHP, and that this allocation was decided in advance. Since the remaining 4 members will be appointed by the President, comments are being made that the council will be under political control.

'NOT MERIT, BUT INTEREST-BASED RELATIONSHIPS'

Journalist Babacan also conveyed more striking allegations discussed in the corridors in her article. It is stated that the structure within the HSYK is based on mutual interest relationships rather than political connections, and is run with a "sharp crony relationship."

Citing the words of a politician as an example of this situation, "Just like different parties protecting each other in zoning decisions in municipal councils... There is a similar sharing of interests in the judiciary," Babacan drew attention to the rumors that a "your guy there, my guy here" style of staff bargaining is constantly being conducted in the HSYK.

Another remarkable example shared in the article concerns a high criminal court judge. According to the allegations, although it was determined that the judge in question was transporting criminals in his own vehicle, the dismissal file prepared against him by the Ministry of Justice has not been processed for months.

This situation brings with it criticisms regarding the failure of oversight mechanisms in the judiciary.

It is stated that some oversight mechanisms proposed in the name of efficiency in the judiciary are also rejected on the grounds of "judicial independence." For example, a warning and penalty system for judges who are supposed to start hearings at 09:00 in the morning was brought to the agenda; however, it was not accepted.

Instead, it was proposed that whether judges attend hearings or not be tracked digitally via an e-system to be established by the HSYK. However, this plan was also postponed with the excuse of "we'll see.".