The TBMM Planning and Budget Committee convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Samsun Deputy Mehmet Muş to discuss the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Justice. During the committee meeting, where Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek presented the 2027 budget, deputies also took the floor to share their evaluations regarding the budget. Following the evaluations, Gürlek responded to questions from deputies concerning the general 2027 budget proposal.
"Let the opposition here know well: I have not bowed to any pressure or threat."
Stating that they are not bothered by any criticism that guides them, Minister Gürlek said, "We have left 24 years behind in power; throughout this time, our greatest support, our nation, has come to know us very well. I have faced many provocations here; this is not the first time I have encountered this. I have performed my duties without compromising the democratic legal system. In all my roles, I have taken the rule of law as the basis against criminal and terrorist organizations. I have been on the target list of many terrorist organizations; they even targeted my family and my child. Let the opposition here know well: I have not bowed to any pressure or threat. I am against every expression that attempts to interfere with our judiciary. I stand behind all my colleagues who make decisions on behalf of the nation, and I am proud of them. This nation has experienced very bad experiences in the past. Since we came to power, we have worked to erase the traces of the tutelage mentality."
Emphasizing that they have reduced the duration of legal search processes to a reasonable timeframe, Gürlek said, "We have equipped every part of our country with infrastructure services to maximize the quality of the service the judiciary offers to citizens. And we continue to equip it. During our provincial and district visits, we go to our courthouses and examine the physical conditions on-site. We listen to our judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and courthouse staff. We look at the daily operations of the courthouse, from the courtrooms to the waiting areas for our citizens. In one place, the need for personnel stands out, while in another, the inadequacy of the building does. We address the needs of every courthouse on-site. We follow the solution together with our relevant expertise. We are conducting work. Our concern is to give our noble nation the value it deserves. The measure of this is our state fulfilling its duties. Unlike some, we do not engage in empty talk or political acrobatics. We have no time to waste on slander and defamation. We have no secret agendas hidden from our nation. There has not been and cannot be any oppressive behavior toward any segment."
"Our goal is to protect well-intentioned investors and the rights of our citizens."
Regarding the fund investigations, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said, "In the fund investigations, we are fighting against a criminal structure that includes allegations of manipulation, market fraud, and money laundering of proceeds from crime. Our goal is to protect well-intentioned investors and the rights of our citizens. Every transaction is recorded. We are also tracking assets believed to have been taken abroad. All state institutions are working in coordination."
In his statement regarding the fund investigations, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that all necessary measures have been taken to protect the rights of well-intentioned investors and citizens, and that the judiciary evaluates files regardless of the names or positions of the individuals involved. Noting that it has been determined that some individuals serving in management mechanisms were also involved in the aforementioned structure, Gürlek emphasized that being a public official does not prevent judicial action from being taken. Gürlek said, "We do not look at anyone's status."
Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that necessary actions will be taken against anyone operating against the nation, Gürlek noted that they have been advancing the fund issue, which has been on their agenda since September 17, step by step in accordance with the roadmap they announced. Stating that relevant ministries and institutions are making regular statements and that they are closely following the process, Gürlek expressed that there will not be the slightest concession in the fight. Recalling that they said they would show a determined stance when the fund issue first emerged, Gürlek expressed his belief that their stance on protecting the rights and laws of the nation is understood by everyone.
Emphasizing that all state institutions are at their posts, Gürlek reported that judicial action has been taken against all real and legal persons determined to have obtained exorbitant profits within the scope of the investigation. Stating that arrest and judicial control measures have been applied to the relevant individuals, and seizure measures have been applied regarding their assets, Gürlek said, "We will never forgive those who operate against the nation."
There are 464 suspects in the fund investigation
Criticizing the attitudes of some individuals who claim that the judiciary is acting hastily on various issues regarding the fund investigation, Gürlek said that the judicial and economic process is being carried out by the relevant boards in the most sensitive manner. Stating that each institution handles the issues falling under its own responsibility meticulously, Gürlek expressed that there is no need to create public perception through rumors without information and documentation.
Announcing that as of November 9, 2026, there were 464 suspects within the scope of the investigation, Gürlek reported that 120 of them are under arrest and judicial control measures have been applied to 262 people. Stating that arrest warrants have been issued for 40 fugitive suspects, Gürlek also noted that assets of 386 real persons and 106 legal entities have been seized and their bank accounts have been blocked.
High-level bureaucrats were also arrested
Stating that among the arrested suspects are individuals who previously held high-level bureaucratic positions, Gürlek announced that two BRSA (BDDK) vice presidents, the general managers of Türkiye Sigorta, Borsa İstanbul, and Takasbank, and a former deputy chairman of the CMB (SPK) are currently under arrest. Stating that a judicial control measure has been applied to the former chairman of the CMB, Gürlek expressed that the legal status of each suspect is evaluated by judicial authorities based on the evidence in their files.
32 billion lira return process
Stating that the return process is also continuing, Gürlek reported that as of November 9, money, real estate, and stocks worth approximately 32 billion lira have been taken under the scope of return within the TMSF. Noting that payments have been made to citizens in funds where collection has been completed, Gürlek said that efforts are continuing to maintain payments in other funds depending on the progress of liquidation procedures.
Expressing that they are working with sensitivity to uncover the real culprits in the judicial process, Gürlek stated that with the completion of the process, it will be revealed who is right and who is wrong. Emphasizing that even if those who do wrong are from their own circles, the necessary action will be taken, Gürlek said, "We will not travel from city to city to defend those who do wrong or those who rob the nation. We will hand them over to the judiciary with our heads held high, and we are doing so." Expressing that this determination is also seen through some names, Gürlek said, "We cut our own umbilical cord."
Responded to opposition criticisms
Stating that he has not deviated from justice for over 20 years in state service and has not taken a step back from what he knows to be right in his political life, Gürlek said that at the committee where he was present for the Ministry of Justice's 2027 budget negotiations, he was subjected to attacks by some opposition members that were not in line with political etiquette from the beginning of the negotiations. Expressing that he thinks he responded to them in the language they understand, mindful of the responsibility of being under the sacred roof of the Parliament, Gürlek emphasized that the most important port of politics is morality. He advised some names in the opposition to look in the mirror first.
No turning back on the goal of a terror-free Turkey
In his speech, Gürlek also touched upon the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey, stating that terrorism has cost the nation dearly for nearly half a century and has targeted Turkey's unity and brotherhood. He expressed that they are working to leave a Turkey where these pains are not experienced to future generations by cherishing the memory of the martyrs and the sacrifices of the veterans.
Thanking MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, and the deputies who contributed to the work under the roof of the Parliament for their contributions to the process carried out with the will put forward by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Gürlek also expressed his gratitude to the deputies who gave 467 yes votes to the relevant legislative proposals.
Stating that the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey is the product of the common sense of the state and the nation, Gürlek said that Turkey is determined to successfully conclude this strategic project. Noting that they aim to create an environment where the historical and natural beauties of Hakkari, Şırnak, Van, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Mardin, and Ağrı, as well as western cities like Istanbul and Antalya, can be safely introduced to the world, Gürlek expressed that with the strengthening of peace, security, and brotherhood in both the east and west of the country, the winner will be the 86 million citizens.
Expressing that the process should be carried out with common sense, prudence, and the broadest possible social consensus, Gürlek stated that an important step has been taken toward establishing state authority in the Sinjar region of Iraq, which has been called the second Qandil for years. Stating that the integration of more than 4,000 organization members into Iraqi security forces began last week and that there have been positive developments regarding the evacuation of caves, Gürlek said that all levels of the state are acting together in this process.
Touching upon President Erdoğan's latest statements on a Terror-Free Turkey, Gürlek stated that the roadmap is clear and emphasized that it is essential for terrorist elements to lay down their arms at home and abroad, for the conditions threatening the peace and security of the country to be eliminated, and for this to be confirmed by the relevant state institutions. Noting that there is no bargaining involved in the process, Gürlek said, "We have not bargained with anyone, and we will not." He expressed that their greatest assurance in reaching this goal is the rule of law.
Message for a new and civil constitution
Stating that part of the goal of strengthening the democratic state of law is to create a new and civil constitution, Gürlek said that the nation deserves a simple and understandable constitution that guarantees its fundamental rights and freedoms more strongly. He expressed his belief that the TBMM can fulfill a historical responsibility in this regard by listening to different views and seeking the broadest possible consensus.
Stating that the Turkish judiciary will continue to carry out its duties on behalf of the nation with determination, Gürlek expressed that as the Minister of Justice, he will continue to be proud of the TBMM, which is the center of representation of the national will. At the end of his speech, Gürlek thanked the committee members and wished the Ministry of Justice's 2027 budget to be beneficial.
News Source: 12punto
