At the AK Party Central Executive Board meeting held the previous day under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, preparations for the month of Ramadan, which will start on February 19, were discussed.

‘MY FIRST HOME, MY FIRST IFTAR’

President Erdoğan instructed his staff at the meeting, “Everyone should go to the field during Ramadan.” Erdoğan said, “Stand with our nation with a sense of mobilization. AK Party is the hope of the nation. The People’s Alliance is the center of politics.” AK Party Organization Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş announced at the MYK meeting that special programs will be held for the earthquake region during Ramadan. Within the scope of the “My first home, my first iftar” program, iftar dinners will be organized with earthquake-affected families who have found their new homes. Deputies will attend 5 iftars and non-deputy members of the organization will attend 10 iftars and establish one-on-one contact with citizens throughout Ramadan.

MUNICIPAL REFORM IS ON THE WAY

The municipal reform draft was also discussed at the AK Party MYK. AK Party Local Governments Presidency, which continues its preparations to increase service quality in local governments and ensure transparency in resource use, presented the study it prepared to President Erdoğan. The draft reform includes regulations that will require transparency on many topics, from mayors’ assets to tenders, from relative appointments to SSI debts. At the meeting, Mayor Erdoğan also said about the water crisis in CHP municipalities: “They tell us ‘Let the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) work’. We work, we bring the water, but we need to explain to the nation that this is their primary duty.”

In the investigation against Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, the indictment prepared against 41 suspects, including Muhittin Böcek, who was suspended from his duty as mayor, was accepted.

In the 702-page indictment prepared by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and accepted by the Antalya 6th High Criminal Court, the suspects were requested to be punished for the crimes of “extortion by coercion”, “unfair acquisition of property”, “influence trading”, “laundering of criminal assets”, “qualified fraud” and “slander” within the scope of chain crime provisions.

In the indictment, it was requested that Muhittin Böcek be sentenced to imprisonment from 15 years and 6 months to 44 years for the crimes of “extortion by force”, “unfair acquisition of property” and “laundering of assets resulting from crime” and that the sentences be increased within the scope of chain crime provisions.

While it was decided to continue the detention of all detained defendants, the first hearing date was set as March 16.

INVESTIGATION

In the “bribery” and “corruption” investigation carried out under the coordination of the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Muhittin Böcek and his former bride ZK were detained on July 5, 2025, and it was determined that Böcek’s son, the suspect Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, was abroad.

Muhittin Böcek, who was referred to the courthouse on the same day, was arrested, and his ex-daughter-in-law ZK was released on the condition of a travel ban and judicial control.

Zuhal Böcek, the daughter-in-law of Muhittin Böcek, who was suspended from duty by the Ministry of Internal Affairs after the decision, was also caught and arrested at the airport on July 27, 2025, on the allegation of “laundering the value of assets resulting from crime”.

As part of the investigation, 8 of the 17 suspects who were detained in a simultaneous operation at the addresses determined on August 12, 2025, and Mustafa Gökhan Böcek, were detained and arrested when he arrived at Antalya Airport from Vienna on August 19, 2025. İlker Arslan, who was suspended from his duty as Antalya Police Department during the course of the investigation and surrendered after a detention order was issued, and businessman FA were also arrested on September 7.

Among the 21 suspects detained in the operation carried out by the police teams on September 10, 2025, businessman MEH, the owner of Kanal V television MOK, former Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General TS, and the manager of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality company ANT Tepe, İ.E. and salesman L.Ş. were arrested, and 3 people, including Böcek’s former bride Z.K, were released under judicial control. Benefiting from effective remorse provisions, MEH, TS and İ.E were released on September 27, 2025.

In ongoing operations, ETC, S.Ç. were among the 6 people detained on October 14, 2025. and Ö.YK on November 5, 2025. SE, BG and HTA, among the 8 people detained, were arrested, and 5 of the 14 suspects who were detained on the allegation that approximately 399 million 507 thousand lira of public damage was caused through irregular expenses through the company affiliated with Antalya Metropolitan Municipality on January 14, were arrested.

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette with the signature of President Erdoğan, Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi was appointed as the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

WHO IS THE NEW MINISTER OF INTERIOR MUSTAFA ÇİFTÇİ?

Çiftçi, who was appointed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs by the decision published in the Official Gazette, was born in 1970 in the Çumra district of Konya. Çiftçi, who completed his primary and secondary education in Çumra and high school education in Konya, graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration in 1995. Çiftçi passed the District Governor Candidate exam held by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1996 and started his career as a civil administrator as the 85th Term Konya District Governor Candidate. Mustafa Çiftçi, who was in England for 8 months in 1998, graduated from the National Security Academy in 1999. Throughout his career, he served as district governor in Aksaray-Gülağaç, Erzurum-Tekman, Nevşehir-Derinkuyu, Bitlis-Adilcevaz and Kırşehir-Kaman districts. Çiftçi, who served as Head of Department at the General Directorate of Personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also served as Private Secretary and Chief Advisor to the President in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Çiftçi was appointed as the Governor of Çorum by the Presidential appointment decision in 2018 and served in this position for 4 years and 9 months. Çiftçi was appointed as the Governor of Erzurum with the Presidential appointment decision numbered 2023/376 dated 9 August 2023.

HE CONTINUED HIS ACADEMIC LIFE

Continuing his academic studies, Mustafa Çiftçi completed his master’s degree at Selçuk University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Public Administration in 2007. Farmer, who graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Theology in 2011, completed his second master’s degree at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Social Sciences Institute, Department of Public Administration in 2012. Çiftçi, who graduated from Ankara University Department of Justice and Faculty of Economics, currently continues his education at Ankara University Faculty of Law and Anadolu University Open Education Faculty History Department. Mustafa Çiftçi, who speaks English and Arabic, is married and has three children.

Breaking News… There were significant changes in the cabinet with the appointments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to the decisions published in the Official Gazette, new names were appointed to the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Justice.

APPOINTMENTS IN THE MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS

According to the appointment decision, Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi was appointed as the Minister of Internal Affairs. Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek was appointed as the Minister of Justice. Both names are among the publicly known and experienced bureaucrats for the positions they have previously held.

WHO IS AKIN GÜRLEK?

Born in Nevşehir in 1982, Akın Gürlek graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Law. Gürlek, who started his career as a judge-prosecutor, served as the President of the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court. Gürlek, who was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice on June 1, 2022, became the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor in 2024 by the decision of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors. Gürlek has been on the public agenda with the judicial and administrative duties he has carried out recently. Akın Gürlek attracted attention with his work as the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor. The fight against terrorism ensured that investigations into organized crime organizations and structures that threaten public order were carried out effectively and decisively. It contributed to the acceleration of judicial processes by taking steps to strengthen coordination, especially in large and comprehensive files. As the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor, Akın Gürlek played a leading role in the investigations carried out especially against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and other corruption allegations. He actively carried out the case process, which was described as “the biggest corruption file in 100 years”.

SHARING FROM YILMAZ TUNC

Yılmaz Tunç, who handed over the task to Akın Gürlek, stated the following in his statement on his social media account:

“It has always been a source of pride for us to stand by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and to devote our hearts to our cause. Following our duties as AK Party Founding District Chairman, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Justice Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party Parliamentary Group, in our blessed journey that started in 2001, our President entrusted me with the post of Minister of Justice on June 4, 2023, further strengthening our responsibility to serve our nation and state. “We have had the honor of supporting the reforms carried out under the leadership of our President during our 23-year government. From now on, we will continue to work for our country and nation with the excitement of the first day for the Turkish Century. I wish great success to Mr. Akın Gürlek, who was appointed as the Minister of Justice with the blessings of our President.”

MUSTAFA ÇİFTÇİ’S LIFE WAS SPENT WITH SERVICE TO THE STATE

Çiftçi, who was appointed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs by the decision published in the Official Gazette, was born in 1970 in the Çumra district of Konya.

Çiftçi, who completed his primary and secondary education in Çumra and high school education in Konya, graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration in 1995.

Çiftçi passed the District Governor Candidate exam held by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1996 and started his career as a civil administrator as the 85th Term Konya District Governor Candidate.

Mustafa Çiftçi, who was in England for 8 months in 1998, graduated from the National Security Academy in 1999.

Throughout his career, he served as district governor in Aksaray-Gülağaç, Erzurum-Tekman, Nevşehir-Derinkuyu, Bitlis-Adilcevaz and Kırşehir-Kaman districts. Çiftçi, who served as Head of Department at the General Directorate of Personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also served as Private Secretary and Chief Advisor to the President in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Çiftçi was appointed as the Governor of Çorum by the Presidential appointment decision in 2018 and served in this position for 4 years and 9 months. Çiftçi was appointed as the Governor of Erzurum with the Presidential appointment decision numbered 2023/376 dated 9 August 2023.

Continuing his academic studies, Mustafa Çiftçi completed his master’s degree at Selçuk University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Public Administration in 2007. Farmer, who graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Theology in 2011, completed his second master’s degree at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Social Sciences Institute, Department of Public Administration in 2012.

Çiftçi, who graduated from Ankara University Department of Justice and Faculty of Economics, currently continues his education at Ankara University Faculty of Law and Anadolu University Open Education Faculty History Department.

Mustafa Çiftçi, who speaks English and Arabic, is married and has three children.

ALİ YERLİKAYA: I AM HANDLING MY DUTY TO MY PRECIOUS BROTHER MUSTAFA ÇİFTÇİ

Ali Yerlikaya, who transferred the post of Minister of Internal Affairs to Mustafa Çiftçi, made the following statement: I am handing over my duty as Minister of Internal Affairs, which I started on June 4, 2023, with the approval and appreciation of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to my dear brother Mustafa Çiftçi. I congratulate him and wish him success in his new position. May God bless you with good luck. I would like to express my gratitude to our President for his great support during my ministry. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every member of our Internal Affairs Family who work tirelessly for the peace and security of our country. Trust God.

YILMAZ TUNÇ: I WISH AKIN GÜRLEK SUCCESSFUL SUCCESS IN HIS POSITION

Yılmaz Tunç, who handed over the Ministry of Justice to Akın Gürlek, said:

“It has always been a source of pride for us to stand by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and to devote our hearts to our cause. Following our duties as AK Party Founding District Chairman, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Justice Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party Parliamentary Group, in our blessed journey that started in 2001, our President entrusted me with the post of Minister of Justice on June 4, 2023, further strengthening our responsibility to serve our nation and state. “We have had the honor of supporting the reforms carried out under the leadership of our President during our 23-year government. From now on, we will continue to work for our country and nation with the excitement of the first day for the Turkish Century. I wish great success to Mr. Akın Gürlek, who was appointed as the Minister of Justice with the blessings of our President.”

Transparency is prioritized in the reform draft prepared in line with the message of “control of the resources used by municipalities on behalf of the nation” that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously pointed out. According to the study presented by the AK Party Local Governments Presidency at the Central Executive Board, mayors will disclose the assets they acquired during their term of office. Tender information, contract numbers and expenditure items of municipalities will be shared with the public regularly every month. The draft also scrutinizes the practice of mayors appointing their relatives. It is aimed to make service-oriented and efficient municipality a mandatory part of the system.

NEW FORMULA FOR SSI DEBT

Different formulas for the regular collection of SSI debts of municipalities with increasing debt burdens are also included in the reform package. Thus, it is aimed to strengthen the financial discipline of municipalities and prevent public damage.

WE NEED TO EXPLAIN THE DUTIES OF MUNICIPALITIES TO THE NATION

At the meeting, Mayor Erdoğan drew attention to the inadequacy of opposition municipalities in terms of providing services. Emphasizing that water management is the primary duty of municipalities, Erdoğan said, “They say ‘State Hydraulic Works (DSI) should work on water. We work, we bring water, but we need to explain to the nation that this is their duty. Water is the source of civilization, production, energy and life. Water management requires experience and vision.”

WE BROUGHT WATER TO ISTANBUL FROM A DISTANCE OF 180 KILOMETERS

Referring to his term as Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Erdoğan said, “I come from the mayoralty. We brought water to Istanbul from a distance of 180 kilometers from the Istranca Mountains. We took over the municipality from the CHP mentality. CHP municipalities cannot deliver the water they have to the nation. Our citizens are waiting for water in tanker queues with canisters. This is the difference between us.”

GO ON THE FIELD

Making evaluations about Ramadan at the meeting, President Erdoğan instructed the organizations, “Everyone go to the field. Stand by our nation with a sense of mobilization. The AK Party is the hope of the nation. The People’s Alliance is the center of politics.”

“MY FIRST HOME, MY FIRST IFTAR” TO EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS

The President of the Organization, Ahmet Büyükgümüş, announced that special programs will be held for the earthquake region during Ramadan. Within the scope of the “My first home, my first iftar” program, iftar dinners will be organized with earthquake-affected families who have found their new homes. Deputies will attend 5 iftars and non-deputy members of the organization will attend 10 iftars and establish one-on-one contact with citizens throughout Ramadan.