Akın Gürlek is the 71st Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Marmara University in 2005 and served as a judge in various provinces and districts, including as president of the 14th Heavy Criminal Court in Istanbul. He held the position of Deputy Minister of Justice from 2 June 2022 to 7 October 2024, was appointed as Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul on 2 October 2024, and became Minister of Justice by Presidential decree dated 11 February 2026.

Identity and Educational Background

Akın Gürlek was born in 1982 in Nevşehir and is originally from Nevşehir. He is married and a father of one child. He completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Nevşehir and graduated from the Faculty of Law at Marmara University in 2005.

Professional Career

Judicial Appointments

After graduating from law school, he began his career as a judge and served in various provinces and districts across Türkiye. During his tenure, he presided over the 26th, 37th and 14th Heavy Criminal Courts in Istanbul. He also served as presiding judge in several high-profile cases. In April 2021, he was promoted to first-class judge by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors.

Deputy Minister of Justice

Akın Gürlek was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice on 2 June 2022 and held this position until 7 October 2024.

Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul

On 2 October 2024, Akın Gürlek was appointed Chief Public Prosecutor of Istanbul by decision of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors.

Akın Gürlek (Anadolu Ajansı)

Ministry of Justice

Presidential Decree No. 2026/51, which appointed Akın Gürlek as Minister of Justice, was published in the Official Gazette on 11 February 2026. In accordance with this decree, he was appointed to the position vacated by Yılmaz Tunç, who requested and was granted a resignation. The appointment was made in accordance with Articles 104 and 106 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye. The Presidential decree published in the Official Gazette confirmed the appointment of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek as Minister of Justice.

Appointment Decree in the Official Gazette - (Official Gazette)

Judicial Proceedings Noted in Public Opinion

During his judicial service, he presided over several high-profile cases, including those involving Selahattin Demirtaş, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Selçuk Kozağaçlı and other defendants, the case of the Contemporary Legal Scholars Association (ÇHD), the case concerning Canan Kaftancıoğlu’s social media posts, and the case against the editors and writers of the newspaper Sözcü.

While serving as President of the 14th Heavy Criminal Court in Istanbul, he presided over rulings concerning Can Dündar in the MİT trucks case and over the trial related to the assassination of Hrant Dink. After assuming the role of Chief Public Prosecutor, it was reported that he led the investigation into the arrest of Ahmet Özer, Mayor of Esenyurt.