ASİ reacts to cabinet reshuffle: 'May it not be auspicious for Akın Gürlek'

With the presidential appointment decree numbered 2026/51, dated February 10, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette, Akın Gürlek was appointed as Minister of Justice, while Mustafa Çiftçi was appointed as Minister of Interior. The decision drew a reaction from the Voice of the Lawyer Initiative (ASİ). 

'MAY IT NOT BE AUSPICIOUS FOR AKIN GÜRLEK'

The reaction from the Voice of the Lawyer Initiative (ASİ) to the appointment of Akın Gürlek as Minister of Justice was swift. The statement made from ASİ's X account is as follows:

"May it not be auspicious for Akın Gürlek.

The appointment of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, the architect of unlawful investigations and prosecutions against our colleagues and our people, as Minister of Justice is the greatest indicator of the climate of lawlessness we are currently in. 

Turkey will one day return to a climate where the rule of law prevails. When that day comes, this appointment made today will be the first thing remembered."

Akın Gürlek’e hayırlı olmasın.

Meslektaşlarımıza ve halkımıza yönelik olarak hukuka aykırı soruşturma ve kovuşturmaların mimarı olan İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcısı Akın Gürlek’in Adalet Bakanı olması, içinde bulunduğumuz hukuksuzluk ikliminin en büyük göstergesi olmuştur.…

— Avukatın Sesi İnisiyatifi (ASİ) (@avukatinsesiyiz) February 10, 2026

'HE CANNOT BE A TRUE JURIST'

ASİ member Lawyer Kerim Bütün spoke to 12punto. Bütün expressed why Gürlek is not the right person for this position with the following words: "First of all, let us state this: Akın Gürlek can be anything in this period, but he can never be a true jurist. Akın Gürlek is a person who has acted on political instructions in all the positions he has held, whether as a judge or a prosecutor, or in any public office he has undertaken. During this process, thousands of people have been victimized, and there have even been those who lost their lives due to the trials he conducted."

'GÜRLEK WILL BE THE NUMBER 2 DEFENDANT IN THE COURTS'

Bütün explained his stance against this situation as follows: "In return for all of this, he was rewarded with the Ministry of Justice. However, the public sees and knows the truth. Turkey will return to the rule of law. When that day comes, he too will face justice. When fair and independent courts are established, Akın Gürlek will be the number 2 defendant in those courts. I have full faith in this. We will continue our legal struggle until that day."

News: Cenk Başboğaoğlu

News Source: 12punto