Turkish President Recep Erdoğan has appointed Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor, Akın Gürlek, as the country’s new justice minister, according to an official decree published on Wednesday in the Official Gazette.
Gürlek replaces Yılmaz Tunç in what marks the first major cabinet reshuffle since Erdoğan’s re-election in 2023.
During his tenure as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, Gürlek oversaw a series of high-profile investigations targeting members of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
His office notably handled cases against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, a prominent Erdoğan rival, who has been in pre-trial detention since March 2025.
The appointment has sparked swift criticism from opposition figures.
CHP Deputy Chair Gül Çiftçi described the move as a political “reward”, writing on social media platform X that the promotion signals a continued crackdown on dissent.
In a parallel move, Erdoğan appointed Governor Mustafa Çiftçi as interior minister, replacing Ali Yerlikaya.
Political analysts say the reshuffle reflects a consolidation of power within Erdoğan’s administration.
They also say the decision signals a potentially tougher stance toward opposition figures ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 2028. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
