Stating that the meetings with Müşerref Pervin Tuba Durgut and the victim families created an important awareness, Gürlek said that the report to be prepared by the commission will direct the work of the 12th Judicial Package. Gürlek also emphasized that the fight against crime should not be limited to punishment alone, but that preventive mechanisms covering family, education and social environment should also be put into action.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek met with members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Investigation Commission on Children Driven to Crime at Ankara Judge’s House. Minister Gürlek reminded that the Turkish Grand National Assembly Investigation Commission on Children Driven to Crime and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Müşerref Pervin Tuba Durgut held a meeting with the victim families at the Istanbul Judge’s House last Sunday. Noting that this created an important awareness in the society, Minister Gürlek explained that they listened to the problems of the victim families.

“81 PERCENT OF THE SOCIETY HAVE A PERCEPTION THAT THE PUNISHMENTS GIVEN TO CHILDREN ARE INSUFFICIENT”

Minister Gürlek continued his speech as follows: “I knew it before, but since I came from practice, we saw that there was a real problem, especially when we interacted one-on-one with the families of the victims. We call it ‘Child Driven to Crime’, in fact, we will have to change this concept from the very beginning. 81 percent of the society has a perception that the punishments given to children are insufficient. This is the general opinion of the society. I am of the same opinion.”

“I THINK YOUR FINAL REPORT WILL CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO US”

Stating that the GNAT Investigation Commission on Children Driven to Crime has also carried out very valuable work and research in the field, Minister Gürlek said, “We want to do whatever is our part here. If legal regulations need to be made, of course we will make these legal regulations together. The report you will prepare is very important for us, it sets the path.” made his assessment. Stating that they are working on the 12th Judicial Package, Minister Gürlek said, “Here, too, there are suggestions, proposals, your valuable field research and items we think about. As the Ministry of Justice, together with our technical team, we think that these penalties are a bit inadequate, and there is a perception of impunity in the society. I think it is very useful to work together on this issue. I think your work in the field and your final report will contribute a lot to us.”

“PREVENTION MECHANISMS ALSO NEED TO BE ACTIVE”

Pointing out the issue of how the child was brought into this environment before the crime was committed, Minister Gürlek said, “Prevention mechanisms also need to be activated. Of course, it is not only the Ministry of Justice’s duty to put these prevention mechanisms into action. The family factor is of course decisive here. The educational life of the child is decisive. The social environment in which he is raised is decisive.” Stating that they have a joint work with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education, Minister Gürlek said, “The Ministry of Justice begins its duty after the crime is committed. Here, the factors that push the child into this criminal environment need to be discussed. Our children are very valuable to us, but on the other hand, we have victimized families.”

THE PERCEPTION OF IMPUNITY DISTURBES THE SOCIETY

Minister Gürlek continued his speech as follows: “I was very impressed at the meeting with the victim families with my esteemed President on Sunday. There were very emotional moments. I mean, we felt their sadness deeply. That is, we say ‘child’. Of course, we all have children, but there are also victim families here. So, we need to balance the crime policy. In other words, the ‘perception of impunity’ unfortunately disturbs the society. Of course, we will make legal regulations on this issue. We are currently in the working phase. We will carry out this process together with your work. “We are especially looking forward to the reports of your commission, because the report that will come out from there is very important.” Reminding that the commission met with 700 judges and prosecutors and listened to the victim families personally, Minister Gürlek stated that they wanted to contribute to this process as much as they could. Underlining the need for legal regulations to be made as soon as possible, Minister Gürlek stated that there is a general opinion in society that the punishments given to children are insufficient at a rate of 81 percent.

Noting that judges and prosecutors can sometimes use their discretionary rights differently, Minister Gürlek said, “The discretionary rights given to judge-prosecutors are a bit broad. If necessary, we should come together frequently with judges and prosecutors and hold consultation meetings to express sensitivity on this issue. If a change in the law is necessary, change the law… The issue of preventive and deterrent measures is also very important. I find it very valuable that our three ministries work together here.”

The National Security Council (MGK) convened at the Presidential Complex under the leadership of President Erdoğan. In this context, the US-Israel-Iran war, the Terrorism-Free Türkiye process and national security issues are expected to be discussed. Additionally, the terrorist attack against the police in Istanbul will also be discussed at the MGK.

TERRORIST-FREE Türkiye PROCESS
The ‘Terror-free Türkiye’ process will also be discussed at the National Security Council meeting. Developments over the last 1.5 years will be evaluated, and the situation on the ground and topics related to northern Syria will be examined in the light of intelligence data.

Breaking news: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used the following statements in his post on his social media account:

“WE HOPE IT WILL BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN THE FIELD”

“We are pleased with the ceasefire declared last night in the war that has turned our region into a firestorm since February 28. We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented in the field without giving any opportunity to possible provocations and sabotage.

“IT IS OUR SINCERE WISH THAT OUR GEOGRAPHY WILL ACHIEVE PEACE AND STABILITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”

We wholeheartedly congratulate all actors who contributed to the process leading to the declaration of ceasefire, especially friend and brother Pakistan. It is our sincere wish that our geography, which has suffered so much from war, conflict, tension and oppression, will find peace, tranquility and stability as soon as possible.

Türkiye will continue to raise the voice of peace in its region and the world.”

We are pleased with the ceasefire declared last night in the war that has turned our region into a fire since February 28.

We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented in the field without giving any opportunity to possible provocations and sabotage.…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) April 8, 2026

In front of the Israeli Consulate in Levent, Istanbul, three attackers, Yunus Emre Sarban, Onur Çelik and Enes Çelik, opened fire with a long-barreled gun on the police officers in the area for an unspecified reason. As a result of the response of the police, Sarban was killed and the other two were neutralized. The two police officers injured in the incident were sent to the hospital and it was learned that their injuries were not life-threatening. The Ministry of Justice appointed 3 prosecutors, one of whom is the deputy chief prosecutor, regarding the incident. While it was determined that the attackers came from Izmit with a rental car, traces of DAESH were detected in the incident.

Gunshots were heard in Beşiktaş Levent around 12:00. Three attackers with backpacks and long barrels opened fire on the police. The police at the scene intervened against the attackers. While 2 police officers were injured, one of the terrorists who carried out the attack was killed and the other two were injured. The two police officers injured in the incident were taken to hospital. It was learned that the life of both officers was not in danger. During ongoing investigations, 5 more people with links to terrorists were detained.

DAESH CONNECTION REVEALED
Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi made a statement about the incident on social media. It was learned that Yunus Emre Sarban (32), who was affiliated with DAESH and was killed at the scene, was involved in a murder with his father in 2018. It was determined that Yunus Emre was released while his father Ahmet Sarban was arrested regarding the incident. The other two attackers, brothers Onur Çelik and Enes Çelik, were neutralized with injuries. It was learned that Onur Çelik had a previous drug conviction. Intensive digital communication was detected between the 3 terrorists. No explosive ammunition was found in the examination of the attackers and their vehicles. In the hot conflict that started when the attackers opened fire, a police officer came face to face with the terrorist. The officer first took a service van as cover and pinned it down with fire from its right and left sides in order to prevent the target from escaping. He shot the terrorist, who was under pressure with a gun, in the foot by taking aim from under the minibus where he took cover.

After the terrorist was neutralized, the police officer rushed to the aid of his colleagues who continued to clash with the other attackers. The area where the incident took place was closed with barriers within the scope of intense security measures. While special operations police were waiting at the entrance and exit, many reinforcements were dispatched. Büyükdere Street, located near the area where the attack took place, was closed to traffic. While the police continued to control the area with the help of a drone, traffic in the area was opened under control.

INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN STARTED
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that an investigation was launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding gunshot reports around the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. Gürlek said, “An investigation was immediately launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the gunshot reports around the Israeli Consulate in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. A deputy chief prosecutor and two public prosecutors were assigned within the scope of the investigation; our public prosecutors immediately arrived at the scene and started investigations. In order to shed light on all aspects of the incident, work is continuing with the relevant law enforcement units under the coordination of our chief public prosecutor’s office, and the investigation is being carried out meticulously and multifacetedly.”

“THE ATTACK WAS FOR PROVOCATION PURPOSES”
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, who investigated the scene, said: “It is an attack that smacks of provocation. There has been no activity in the consulate for 2.5 years. Those who carried out the attack were neutralized. Our injured police officers are not in life-threatening conditions.”

KURTULMUŞ: I CURSE IT
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, condemned the attack. Kurtulmuş said, “I condemn the treacherous attack on our police officers on duty in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. I congratulate our heroic police officers who intervened in the incident immediately and effectively, and wish a speedy recovery to our injured. Any dirty plan aimed at our goal of a Terror-free Turkey and a Terror-free region will be eliminated in unity and solidarity with the determination of our state and the foresight of our beloved nation.”

TERRORIST SARBAN’S ASSET HAS BEEN FROZEN IN 2021
During the investigation, new information was obtained about the neutralized terrorist Yunus Emre Sarban. It was revealed that the assets of Sarban, who was determined to be registered in Adana, were frozen due to his past activities related to the financing of terrorism. It was learned that within the scope of the “Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism”, a decision was made to freeze his assets in 2021. This decision was lifted in 2024.

THE CAR WAS RENTED FROM DILOVASI FROM TERRORISTS
It was determined that Onur Çelik (25), born in Van, came from Izmit with the group and rented the car from Kocaeli Dilovası. It was revealed that the terrorist rented the vehicle for 1700 TL per day and although he was supposed to deliver it on Friday, he continued to use it by extending the contract until April 7.

Yesterday’s session of the giant case regarding corruption allegations in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality started with a harsh debate between Ekrem İmamoğlu on the defendant’s stand and the prosecution. Speaking in the first minutes of the hearing, the Public Prosecutor reminded İmamoğlu’s scandalous words in the previous day’s hearing, saying “The real criminal organization is the prosecution” and warned.
Following the prosecutor’s words, İmamoğlu said, “Don’t be a bully.” The prosecutor said, “We are not being a bully.” Emphasizing that the words targeting the judicial authority are unacceptable, the Prosecutor said to İmamoğlu, “Yesterday, you made a statement and called it a criminal organization. Be careful about your attitude towards the prosecution. We never accept such statements. Immediately give up these statements that try to put pressure on the prosecutor’s office; what you are doing is not right. As the prosecutor’s office, we warn you: If you exceed your limits, we will put you in your place! Be careful with your statements.”
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was observed to be very angry when the prosecutor said “We will put you in your place”, reacted to the prosecutor by raising his voice from where he was sitting. The prosecutor warned İmamoğlu, saying, “Don’t talk to me as ‘you’.”

A large-scale operation was organized in CHP’s Üsküdar Municipality on the grounds that “there were irregularities in the building and settlement license procedures”. Within the scope of the investigation carried out under the coordination of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 30 addresses in Istanbul and Yalova were raided simultaneously. 20 suspects were detained. Among the suspects is Kent A.Ş. It was learned that General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu and Deputy Mayor Filiz Deveci were also present. It was learned that Deveci served as Deputy Director in the City Planning Directorate of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality between 2019 and 2024, and after the victory of Üsküdar, he was made Deputy Director of Üsküdar by İmamoğlu.

THEY USED IT AS A FRONT

One of the suspects, Kent A.Ş. It was learned that General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu used the title of “vice president” in the room allocated to him between the Directorate of Planning and Urbanization and the Directorate of Construction Control, which are the units where the ‘building permit and settlement’ license was given, and that he was introduced as such in official programs. It was stated that Kent A.Ş. was used as a front during the building permit process and that unfair profits were obtained from contractors in return for services that were not actually provided.

4.5 MILLION LIRAS WAS IN MY SUITCASE

Burçin Çevik, who was detained and working at the Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA), was one of the people who followed up on business, even though he did not work at Üsküdar Municipality, and approximately 4.5 million liras were seized in suitcases during the searches at his home. It was claimed that the money in question was the fee for the cafe that Çevik’s fiancée had transferred in Beyoğlu the day before.

The investigation also revealed the mechanism the suspects set up to obtain a building permit. In this system; “Blue” means that an agreement has been reached, “Red” means that an agreement has not been reached, “Green” means that no negotiations have been held yet, and “Orange” means that there has been a meeting but the process has not been made official.

HERE ARE 20 SUSPECTS
The names detained in the operation are as follows: Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Filiz Deveci, Kent A.Ş. General Manager Nazım Akkoyunlu, Kent A.Ş. Architect Barkın Ege Tekkökoğlu, Özgür Ceylan, Building Control Field Chief Hakan Yavuz, work follower Ahmet İşman, Veysel Köse, Ceyhan Han, Yasin Karabaş and Burçin Çevik working at Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA), contractor Engin Aras, Sinan Sarıoğlu, Kadir Karadağ, Ufuk Gündüz, Eyüp Meriç, Murat Armağan, Hakan Mansız, Erdem Alkan, Yılmaz Kozan and Mehmet Atilla Güneri.