European Parliament Turkey Report Sparks Turkish Government Rebuttal and Trump Comment

The European Parliament adopted a report on Turkey that voiced deep concern over the continued erosion of the rule of law and the lack of judicial independence in the country. The resolution was passed with 381 votes in favour, 107 against and 171 abstentions, and it called for sanctions against the former Istanbul chief prosecutor and current Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.

Justice Minister Gürlek responded that “no one can point a finger at Turkish courts, interfere with ongoing trials or pressure our judiciary,” reiterating that “the Republic of Turkey is an independent, sovereign and democratic law state.” In the same debate former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed, “I called Father Bronson and they released him immediately,” prompting further discussion about whether his statement can coexist with Turkey’s claim of being a law‑state.