The Presidential Cabinet met yesterday under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Addressing the nation after the meeting that lasted 3.5 hours, Erdoğan said:

IT AFFECTED 86 MILLION: 14 of the 19 brothers injured in the attack in Siverek were discharged; The treatment of 2 teachers and 3 of our students continues. In the incident in Kahramanmaraş, we had 9 deaths and 21 injuries. 15 of our puppies have been discharged, 3 of them are in intensive care, and the treatment of 6 of our puppies continues. The attacks affected not only Kahramanmaraş, not only Siverek, but all 86 million people, and plunged all of us as a nation into grief and sorrow.

THE FATHER WAS ARRESTED: By following the digital footprints of the attacks, it was quickly revealed who they were in contact with and what they were affected by. While 8 people were arrested regarding the attack in Siverek, the father of the attacker in Maraş, who owned the weapons used, was arrested. As President, I followed the process personally and closely; I will continue to follow.

A SITUATION TO WHICH WE ARE STRANGERS: Unfortunately, every blessing has a side effect. The side effects of the internet, technology, and integration with the world can sometimes manifest themselves like this. When we look at similar attacks around the world, especially those carried out in the USA, we see that one of the aims of the perpetrators is to “terrorize” the society.

READING OF INTENTION: What justification could there be for starting a campaign against our government before the incident is even understood? Even before the funerals of our brutally murdered children have even been held, what kind of conscience and morality would it fit to attempt to read the intentions by saying “They will blame the incident on the 14-year-old child”?

IT IS NEVER ONE DIMENSIONAL: Before us is a multi-layered challenge that is pedagogically problematic, such as “turning schools into barracks and police stations”, that will damage the essential character of schools, and that cannot be solved with a single step.

NO COMPROMISE: The security of our schools is at the top of our priorities. There is no slightest compromise here. We aim to focus more on cyber patrol activities and strengthen the capacity of our cyber units. We will further strengthen our visible and invisible presence in the dark corridors of the internet by making use of artificial intelligence.

FAMILY IS A PERSON’S FIRST SCHOOL: Family is the carrier of culture, national and spiritual values; It is the first school where morality, compassion, and approaching other living creatures with mercy and empathy are taught.

SUPPORT AND COUNSELING LINE: As part of the fight against digital addiction, we will soon launch a “support and advice line” for our parents. We will provide “Crisis Management and Classroom Intervention” training to our teachers and school administrators.

CAUGHT IN FIRE: Our fight against LGBT movements, which have turned into a global despotism, has been one of the issues on which we have been subjected to the most brutal criticism. As we tried to prevent this scourge, some people used every opportunity they had to pave the way for genderless movements.

WE WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THE NOISE: When it comes to the mental and physical health of our young people, we will not ignore the noise. In this regard, the biggest responsibility falls on the media.

VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION ON THE SCREEN: Our beautiful people like our teacher Martyr Ayla remind us of what is in the essence of this nation. We, RTÜK in particular, are determined to address the issue of “violence and corruption on screen” more uncompromisingly.

FIREARMS ISSUE: In addition to the current actions, we will increase the penalties for firearm owners who do not fulfill their duty of care and attention, especially if the weapon is seized by a child. We will put into effect additional legal regulations on limiting “gun ownership”.

JUST LIKE TERROR

SUCH murderers not only want to shed the blood of innocents; By doing this, they aim to cause outrage in society and create anxiety, anxiety, fear and unrest, just like terrorist organizations. In this process, some of our media organs, some of our politicians, some of our organizations, knowingly or unknowingly, served the purpose of the attackers and played into the hands of the perpetrators with their pedagogically problematic statements and broadcast lines.

THE WORLD IS NOT THE OLD WORLD ANYMORE: The world is no longer the old world… Especially some digital sharing applications are seducing the minds of our children; We are living in a period where social media platforms have “turned into sewers”, as the saying goes.

IMPACT OF POPULAR CULTURE: Another factor in the escalation of violence; TV series, movies, news presentations and popular culture products that have a negative impact on children. Particularly in crime and violence-themed productions, portraying the perpetrators as strong, impressive, immune from punishment, or even a “respectable person” damages our young people’s connection with reality.

WHAT IS YOUR HURRY?

As a nation, our hearts are breaking, but we have seen with regret that some actors of the main opposition think of criticizing the first Ramadan events; I feel like making irresponsible statements, as if I were just waiting for such an opportunity. What is this concern about you? What’s your rush? Provoking the nation through such pain and spreading fear and anxiety among our students is, to say the least, irresponsible. No one has the right to disturb our teachers, students and families.

16-ARTICLE SOLUTION PRESCRIPTION
1- By limiting gun ownership, we will increase penalties if children take possession of the gun.
2- We will focus on cyber patrol and strengthen cyber units. 3- We will establish a systematic intervention structure before a violent incident occurs.
4- We will determine a policy set based on case-based analyses.
5- We will strengthen our existence in the dark corridors of the internet with artificial intelligence.
6- School-law enforcement cooperation will be increased and new working models will be developed.
7- We will take additional steps to use the school-family-guidance line more effectively.
8- We will make the Parent Appointment System more effective.
9- We will launch a “support and advice line” in the fight against digital addiction.
10- We will provide “Crisis Management and Classroom Intervention” training to teachers and school administrators.
11- We will disseminate Emotion-Value Based Digital Well-being studies.
12- We will make the work of the Guidance Warning System more sensitive.
The regulation that limits the use of social networks to children under the age of 13-15 will fill an important gap.
14- We will impose an obligation to verify identity and share information on social networking platforms.
15- We will combine data and strengthen early warning mechanisms.
16- We will ensure that digital content is monitored more closely by strengthening family support mechanisms.

AK Party Deputy Chairman Faruk Acar said, “Your vision is shallow, your attitude is helpless… Know this well: While you are waiting for permission on the doorsteps, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to stand tall next to the oppressed on every platform.” he said.

Faruk Acar made the following statement on his social media account:

You cannot cover up the humiliation of being an “extra” at the gates and waiting rooms of Spain by criticizing our President, Özgür Özel!

You cannot cover up the humiliation of being an “extra” at the gates and waiting rooms of Spain by criticizing our President, Özgür Özel!

The fact that you are so out of your mind that you call Palestinian babies “Israeli” is a complete mentality failure. Whatever is inside the cube leaks out; from your mouth…

— Faruk Acar (@acarfaruka) April 21, 2026

The fact that you are so out of your mind that you call Palestinian babies “Israeli” is a complete mentality failure. Whatever is inside the cube leaks out; This unconsciousness coming out of your mouth betrays your true nature!

Your vision is shallow, your attitude is helpless… Know this well: While you are waiting for permission on the doorsteps, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to stand tall next to the oppressed on every platform.

Mayor Yılmaz Tozan, his wife Burcu Tozan, Mayor Tozan’s driver MF, İ.U from the Eşme Municipality Police Department, municipal staff HD and Eşme Municipality CHP Council Member RSS, who were detained in the investigation carried out by the Eşme Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office under the coordination of the Uşak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, were referred to the Eşme Courthouse.

Within the scope of the investigation, Yılmaz Tozan’s private secretary SB was also detained.

Among the suspects, Council Member RSS and municipal staff HD were released after the prosecutor’s office interrogation.

Mayor Yılmaz Tozan was referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty with the request to be arrested for “establishing, managing and extorting an organization for the purpose of committing a crime”, his driver MF and police officer İ.U for “being a member of or aiding an organization established for the purpose of committing a crime and extortion”, and Burcu Tozan and her private secretary SB were referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty with the request to be released on the condition of judicial control.

Among the suspects, Mayor Tozan and İ.U. and MF were arrested. Burcu Tozan and SB were also released on condition of judicial control.

Within the scope of the investigation, it was learned that the suspects took advantage of the workplaces by advancing the closing hours of alcoholic venues, gained unfair advantage by showing the invoice of the fees paid to the artists who came to the International Eşme Touristic Kilim, Culture and Art Festival, which is the traditional festival of the district, high, and gained benefits in exchange for improper licenses for some workplaces in the district.

In the bank accounts examined, unusual money movements were detected in the account of Tozan’s driver, M.F.

Within the scope of the investigation into the crime of “extortion” against the Eşme Municipality, on April 17, Mayor Yılmaz Tozan, his wife Burcu Tozan, Yılmaz Tozan’s driver MF, and İ.U. from the Eşme Municipality Police Department. and municipal staff HD were detained. CHP’s Eşme Municipality Council Member RSS, for whom an arrest warrant was issued, was also captured.

It was determined that one of the suspects, O.Ü, was in prison for another crime.

The judicial decree prepared by the First Chamber of the HSK was announced on the institution’s website. Within the scope of the decree, the places of duty of 14 judges and prosecutors working in the judicial judiciary were changed.

Accordingly, Ankara West Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Yılmaz was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor’s Office, Ankara Regional Administrative Court Member Armağan Buran was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor’s Office, Antalya Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Ali Yüce was appointed to the Kayseri Regional Court of Justice Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Supreme Court of Appeals Examining Judge Gökçe Demirci Yıldız was appointed to the Ankara Regional Court of Justice Membership, Karaman Public Prosecutor Muhammet Sarı was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor’s Office, Ankara Public Prosecutor Doğan Çabuk was appointed to the Ankara Regional Court of Justice Public Prosecutor’s Office. Musa Talih, the President of the Burdur High Criminal Court, was appointed as the President of the Isparta High Criminal Court.

Diyarbakır Regional Court of Justice Member Canan Karaaslan became a Member of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice, Diyarbakır Judge Vedat Efe served as the Presidency of the Burdur High Criminal Court, Burdur Judge Esra Nur Talih served as the Isparta Judge, Yalvaç Public Prosecutor Burak Özer Çubuk served as the Public Prosecutor, Bodrum Public Prosecutor Oğuz Saylam served as the Elmalı Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Nazilli Judge Aslıhan Erhan served as the Ankara Judge and Ankara West Public Prosecutor. Şerife Evleksiz was appointed as Kızılcahamam Chief Public Prosecutor.

A statement was made by the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the allegations and news in the virtual media that İsa Aras Mersinli, who carried out an armed attack at Ayser Çalık Secondary School on April 15, did not die but was kidnapped. In the statement, it was stated that the allegations were unfounded and said:

“After the heinous attack that took place in our city on April 15, 2026, it was observed that some social media platforms and news sites shared misleading information about the fact that the perpetrator of the incident did not die and was kidnapped from the scene with an armored vehicle while injured, and there was a need to make a press release in order to inform the public correctly. Following the incident in question; as a result of the crime scene investigation carried out by our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that the perpetrator was missing at the scene and the classical autopsy of the perpetrator was carried out by law enforcement officers. As a result of the autopsy procedures carried out between 15 April 2026 at 21:45 and 16 April 2026 at 00:30 with the participation of the Public Prosecutor on Duty, the burial license was issued and the autopsy procedures were completed.

“THE CLAIMS DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH”

In this context; The news spread that the person is not dead does not reflect the truth, and it is also known that the victim, the complainant and their representatives, who are parties to the file, have the authority to examine the photographs and footage of the dead examination and autopsy procedures in the file. In addition, judicial investigations have been initiated in accordance with Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code against people who spread misleading information that will create anxiety, fear or panic among the public. “It is important not to rely on false news and disinformation posts and to follow the official statements made by public institutions and organizations regarding the incident.”

At the hearing held by the Istanbul 40th High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution, the detained defendant Bakırköy Deputy Mayor and IMM Council Member Ali Rıza Akyüz made his defense.

The public prosecutor said, “There are allegations of bribery from Capacity’s managers, its lawyer and its architect. There are statements. There is a voice recording. Your name is not mentioned in the recording, but there are statements that support the narratives about you. It is said that you demanded bribes. There are bribe figures. What will you say?” To the question, Akyüz said, “The numbers do not match. Some say 3, some say 5. It is all fiction.” He replied:

Defendant Akyüz asked the prosecutor: “What was the basis for determining the fine of 197 million liras for the shopping centre?” “I’m not imposing the fine, but I looked. They calculated it by taking the net construction area.” He replied:

The arrested defendant Ekrem İmamoğlu, who took the floor, asked Akyüz, “You are from the CHP. You are involved in politics, you are a municipal council member. We have some contacts with you. Are you specially qualified? Have I, as Deputy Mayor of Bakırköy, given you any direct or indirect instructions or pressure on any legitimate or illegitimate issue?” posed the question.

Defendant Akyüz said, “It definitely didn’t happen.” he said.

At the hearing, Akyüz’s lawyers also made their defense.

THE FUNCTIONING OF IMM BOĞAZİÇİ ZONING DIRECTORATE WAS EXPLAINED

Elçin Karaoğlu, one of the detained defendants, said that he transferred to Beylikdüzü Municipality after working in Esenler and Avcılar municipalities.

Stating that he transferred to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on September 1, 2020, Karaoğlu argued that the municipality was not present at the meetings where decisions were made and did not come anywhere with hesitation.

Stating that he was called “from the Beylikdüzü team” in the indictment, but that he had been living in Beylikdüzü since his marriage, Karaoğlu explained the functioning of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Boğaziçi Zoning Directorate.

Karaoğlu said, “The work done in the public sector cannot be considered an organizational activity. There are more than 100 managers in IMM. I am one of them.” he declared.

Arguing that there was no deficiency, negligence or mistake in the operations of the directorate, Karaoğlu said, “It is claimed that I am a member of the organization. I did not receive instructions from anyone. I am not a member of the organization, I received the instructions from the relevant law. What is the structure called an organization? Frankly, I do not understand that here either.” he said.

The hearing was postponed until tomorrow to continue taking the defendant’s defense.