Politics
New judicial bill to improve criminal rehabilitation in Türkiye
The new judicial reform bill aims to end the perception of impunity and contribute to the rehabilitation of criminals, Türkiye’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said Monday, a day after lawmakers approved the package in deliberations that lasted more than 15 hours.
The bill, widely known as the “10th Judiciary Package,” passed at Parliament’s justice committee on Sunday. It is now expected to land at the general assembly on Tuesday for a vote that it will likely win.
The bill will eliminate the perception of impunity spreading in Turkish society, Tunç said in a statement on X.
The issue has been felt in the public after courts have ruled for light sentences in incidents that stirred up public outrage.
The package is harsh on offenders and relieves convicts suffering illnesses.
“Even if the sentence they receive is less than two years, convicts will be released on probation after serving at least one-tenth of their sentence in a penal institution until their conditional release date,” Tunç explained. “In this way, the punishment’s deterrent effect will be strengthened and the execution will occur in a way suitable for the purpose (of the punishment).”
Reforming convicts
While the bill effectively combats crime, it also seeks to rehabilitate criminals.
In an effort to reduce recidivism, Tunç said convicts marked as repeat offenders will have the right to conditional release to ensure their adaptation to the outside world, rehabilitate them to prevent them from committing crimes again and bring them back to society.
Those who are subject to the second recidivism provisions will be able to benefit from conditional release if they serve three-fourths of their fixed-term prison sentence with good behavior, Tunç added.
‘Human-oriented approach’
The bill also expands the scope of the exclusive execution of sentences, according to Tunç.
The scope of the weekend or night execution method will be increased from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years for crimes committed intentionally; from 3 to 5 years for crimes committed by negligence, except for the crime of murder by negligence.
The scope of the execution method for home sentences will be increased from 1 year to 3 years for women, children, or people over the age of 65, from 2 years to 4 years for people over the age of 70, and from 4 years to 5 years for people over the age of 75.
It will be possible to decide on the execution of prison sentences of up to 6 years at home for people over the age of 80.
Except for those sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, criminals unable to survive alone in penal institutions due to illness or disability, or those determined not to pose a serious and concrete threat to public safety, may be permitted to serve their sentences at home.
Public safety
A crucial amendment the bill introduces is increased sentences against people who fire guns or gas cartridges known as “blank guns” during public celebratory events, especially weddings or sports event celebrations.
These people will be charged with “deliberately endangering public security,” Tunç said.
The penalty for those who fire a weapon or use explosives, including those that can fire sound and gas cartridges in residential areas, will be increased and will be determined as 1 to 5 years in prison.
If this crime is committed in places where people are present together, such as weddings, engagements and farewell ceremonies for soldiers, the penalty to be given will be increased by half to one-fold.
Correctional terms for children
Tunç said the bill introduces changes for child convicts, as well.
He said the decision to transfer child convicts from closed penal institutions to children’s education centers will be made after a good conduct evaluation.
Child convicts sentenced to a total of 3 years or less in prison for intentional crimes and 5 years or less in prison for negligent crimes will serve their sentences directly in children’s education centers.
Traffic safety
The bill also combats traffic disruptions, namely those blocking the traffic by blocking the road or preventing other vehicles from moving.
“Blocking a road in traffic will be regulated as an independent crime,” Tunç assured. “Anyone who unlawfully prevents a land vehicle from moving, stops this vehicle while it is moving, or takes it from where it is going to another place will be punished with a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years.”
Penalties will increase for those who endanger traffic safety, starting at a minimum of four months and going up to two years in prison.
A recent report approved by European Parliament dominated the speech of Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) as he addressed fellow party members at a parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday.
Bahçeli slammed EU for attempting to control Türkiye and “steer it.” He accused European Parliament report of being an instrument to cover up Europe’s own shortcomings. “No one can dare to shape our country,” he said.
The report voted last week was full of accusations towards Türkiye in almost every field, to the chagrin of Ankara which enjoys good relations with EU countries despite facing obstacle after obstacle in its decades-long bid to join the 27-member bloc. A highlight of the report was call for sanctions against Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. Although such reports which are published annually and not binding are nothing new for Türkiye, Ankara views it as an attempt by certain countries to block Türkiye’s cooperation with EU, especially in changing security architecture. This issue was also cited by Bahçeli, as he implied that Europe needed Türkiye more than Türkiye needed it, in light of changing dynamics, especially for defense of the continent and worsening ties between EU and the United States.
Bahçeli said Europe cannot “brought Türkiye into line through threats.”
“Everyone should watch their step, know their limits, and remember their place,” he said.
He noted that Europe had long spoken about “strategic autonomy,” yet had still failed to free its defense, political, and economic structures from Washington’s shadow. Referring to statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Bahçeli said Europe was now seriously concerned about how it would fill its security gap as the United States signaled a reduction in its military contributions to Europe.
Bahçeli criticized Europe for attempting to lecture Türkiye on democracy, law, security, and foreign policy while continually promoting accusations disguised as reports, threats veiled as sanctions, and outdated anti-Turkish narratives.
“Europe has noticed the cracks in the walls of its own house, yet it has not abandoned its desire to nail reports onto Türkiye’s door,” he stated. “With what face can such a Europe lecture Türkiye? With what mind can it presume to set standards for the Turkish state? With what audacity can it speak against the values of our nation and the institutions of our state?” he added.
The MHP leader recounted how Europe harbored terrorists for years and allowed pro-PKK groups to rally despite the latter’s designation as a terrorist group.
He asked whether those struggling with migration pressures in their own continent had any right to lecture Türkiye on humanity after it had opened its doors to millions of refugees. He also questioned whether countries dependent on U.S. decisions for their own security had any standing to criticize Türkiye’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine and its maritime jurisdiction claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, referring to a chapter in the report.
The report has also called upon for an European ban on “Grey Wolves” or Ülkü Ocakları (Idealists’ Clubs) as is known in Türkiye, an association associated with MHP. Bahçeli argued that references to the Clubs represented an old hostility in a new form. He recalled efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives to include a provision in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act requiring an investigation into whether Ülkü Ocakları was a terrorist organization. He noted that Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had condemned that initiative at the time as a biased effort driven by anti-Turkish lobbying groups.
“The goal was the same then as it is today. The capitals from which these statements emerge may change, but the intention has not.” He accused critics of attempting to criminalize Turkish nationalism and detach Turkish youth from their national and spiritual values. Describing Ülkü Ocakları as the home of Turkish youth loyal to the state, devoted to the flag and homeland, and firmly opposed to terrorism, he said the organization was being unfairly targeted in European public opinion.
“On one side stands a Europe that is forced to recognize Türkiye’s weight within NATO, its rise in the defense industry, its role in migration management, its place in energy routes, and its geopolitical importance stretching from the Black Sea to the Caucasus and from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East. On the other side stands a Europe that targets the Turkish judiciary, slanders our beloved Ülkü Ocakları, belittles our Blue Homeland cause, and ignores the sovereign equality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people. Whoever attempts to object to Türkiye’s sphere of sovereignty will face us. We will teach those who challenge the Turkish nation, blow by blow, who we are,” he said.
Mustafa Şen, deputy chair of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), told journalists on Tuesday that their party still leads in the polls after more than two decades in power. Şen said the opposition “dreamed on” about the polls, referring to claims by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) which pushes for an early election, confident of defeating AK Party. CHP’s early election rhetoric is now confined to supporters of Özgür Özel, the chairman ousted from the post by a court verdict last month. Özel is as confident as his successor Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to win the next election scheduled for 2028, five years after Kılıçdaroğlu lost to AK Party’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan despite the support of a six-party opposition bloc.
Şen said that AK Party ranked second in the polls for about seven months, before it rose to the first place in October 2024. “We conducted a poll last week and we will have another this week. Based on these, we still have 37% or 38%. The polls are not surprising since our party at one point had a 50% lead in polls. We are now working to improve the results,” he said. Şen stated “the second party” in the polls had a 26%-27% rate.
On CHP’s call for early elections, Şen said AK Party always favored elections in time but the date may be slightly rescheduled to an earlier date, but only “weeks or months before the scheduled date,” he said. Şen also ruled out the speculation that Erdoğan would not be nominated again. “Our candidate is our president,” he underlined. On a question whether Erdoğan would be eligible to run again as it may require a parliamentary approval for an earlier election for his eligibility, Şen said they would accomplish the majority to that extent. People’s Alliance comprised AK Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are about forty short of majority for approval but Şen ruled out that there would be problems in achieving majority. “The politics is art of achieving this,” he said, without elaborating. CHP has earlier hinted voting in favor of an earlier election for eligibility of Erdoğan though they advocated a far earlier vote.
Özgür Özel, who was removed from office as the leader of Republican People’s Party (CHP) with a court verdict last month over allegations of vote-buying, called reinstated leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to hold an intra-party election.
Özel, now parliamentary group chair of the party, made his second speech at the parliamentary group meeting since his removal while Kılıçdaroğlu decided to skip the address traditionally done by party leaders. Instead, he attended Tuesday’s administrative committee meetings of the party where new administration under Kılıçdaroğlu would reportedly discuss expulsion of pro-Özel names from the party.
“I invite Mr. Kemal to make a historic decision and end the deadlock in our party, our country,” Özel said in his speech in Ankara. His supporters already mobilized delegates for a petition calling for an extraordinary convention in the party. They believe Özel can win a new vote while Kılıçdaroğlu so far dragged his feet although he pledged that a convention would be held eventually.
Kılıçdaroğlu often repeats that he is seeking to cleanse CHP of “corruption” in reference to vote-buying allegations that reportedly brought Özel to power in the party in November 2023 and corruption allegations engulfing CHP-run municipalities.
Özel said that the party should get rid of “shame of not holding an election.” He noted that it was CHP which introduced elections to Republic of Türkiye. CHP, Türkiye’s oldest party, was established by Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and until first multi-party elections in 1950, de facto governed the country. Since then, the party failed to win any general election alone.
“One way or another, we will take back this party,” Özel said. The former leader hinted at establishing a new party with his supporters but abstained to take concrete action so far.
A total of 209 suspects from several terrorist groups were detained on Tuesday in a string of operations by police and gendarmerie forces in the capital Ankara.
Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Ankara announced that counterterrorism police launched raids to capture 148 suspects linked to Daesh and far-left terrorist groups including DSIH, TKP/ML, TKIP, People’s Revolutionary Liberation Party-Front (DHKP/C), MLKP, THKP/C and DKP/BÖG while counterterrorism units of the gendarmerie forces carried out operations to capture 93 suspects from TKP/ML, Daesh, DHKP/C and MLKP. The Office said 209 suspects out of 241 wanted suspects were apprehended in operations.
Separately, Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul announced 24 DHKP/C suspects were captured in operations in the city and seven other provinces. 13 other suspects remain at large.
Daesh and DHKP/C are among major terror threats for Türkiye. Daesh was behind a string of attacks across Türkiye that killed dozens in the past while DHKP/C, although involved in less deadly attacks, is still a security concern especially in big cities.
The terrorist group pursues a far-left ideology and has been actively carrying out attacks and assassinations in the country since the 1980s, but its campaign of violence hit a snag when faced with Türkiye’s barrage of counterterrorism operations.
The DHKP-C’s most high-profile attacks include a suicide bombing that targeted the U.S. Embassy in the capital Ankara in 2013 and the killing of a prosecutor in an Istanbul courthouse in 2015.
Türkiye was one of the first countries to declare Daesh a terrorist group in 2013 and carried out a steady stream of operations to thwart the group, rounding up hundreds of suspects over the past few years. Operations prevented plots by Daesh to attack places of worship in Türkiye. Terrorists from Daesh and other groups, such as the PKK and its Syrian wing, the YPG, rely on a network of members and supporters in Türkiye. Turkish authorities have ordered the freezing of millions of lira worth of assets since 2013 to crack down on terrorism financiers in line with United Nations sanctions.
Spiralling debts and mismanagement engulf municipalities run by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) since the 2024 elections.
CHP’s populist discourse granted the party first genuine wins in decades in the municipal elections but municipalities failed to follow up this with public services. Under the administration of now ousted chair Özgür Özel, CHP sought to break the curse of two decades of defeat to ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) by pledging a more prosperous Türkiye to the electorate disillusioned with rising cost of living. But economic pledges are nowhere to be seen in the municipal services. Instead, financial woes are piling up.
Most CHP-run municipalities fail to pay the municipal employees properly, leading to strikes. Municipal workers complain that irregular payments and in some cases, absence of payments, force them to withdraw loans.
Çiğli, a district of CHP stronghold Izmir, is among the worst faring municipalities in terms of financial and human resources management. The municipality fired 147 workers after the 2024 elections without paying compensation and for at least five months, did not pay salaries of most workers. Protests by workers have been common in the past two years while suicide of a worker, a father of three who was fired without compensation made the headlines.
Other districts of Izmir are no different. In Karşıyaka, workers complaining lack of payment went on strike for days. In Buca, workers tried to storm the city hall to protest unpaid wages. A strike by garbage collectors employed by the municipality had triggered a pollution crisis in the district last year. Konak municipality was also rocked with strikes by workers over unpaid wages.
CHP has managed to win the 2024 vote in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, an AK Party stronghold and took over the municipality debt-free. However, in two years, a debt crisis took hold in the municipality, forcing it to skip even pensions of retired workers. Newly retired personnel complain they were not paid severance pay for months. Unable to pay salaries, the municipality decided to sell four properties it owned. Similarly, the Eyüpsultan municipality of Istanbul where AK Party lost to CHP in 2024, suffer from financial woes and last year, the municipality told workers that it can only pay a fraction of their wages due to economic problems.
The court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of 35 suspects, including Adalar Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), as part of an investigation into allegations that permits were issued in exchange for bribes in protected areas of Istanbul’s Adalar district.
The investigation, led by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, focuses on claims that municipal officials granted licenses for unauthorized constructions in areas designated as natural and archaeological protected sites.
According to judicial authorities, 39 suspects were referred to court following questioning by prosecutors. The court ordered the detention of 35 individuals, including Akpolat, while four others were released under judicial supervision measures.
Prosecutors allege that municipal officials, including senior administrators and employees, were involved in a scheme in which permits were issued in return for bribes. Evidence collected during the investigation reportedly indicated that negotiations over payments took place between municipal officials and business owners and that cash was delivered either directly to officials or to individuals linked to them.
Authorities said investigators identified 47 suspects allegedly connected to 40 separate incidents uncovered during the probe.
The investigation culminated in coordinated raids carried out on June 19 across Istanbul and three other provinces. Police searched 90 addresses and detained 42 suspects, including the mayor.
During one of the searches, authorities seized $258,000 in cash and 13 gold bracelets from the residence of a contractor identified by the initials M.Ö., a former member of the Adalar Municipal Council.
Following police questioning and medical examinations, the suspects were transferred to the Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse. Three individuals were released after giving statements to prosecutors, while the remaining suspects were referred to court.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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