# Turkish judicial and administrative cooperation initiatives

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-judicial-and-administrative-cooperation-initiatives
> Updated: 2026-09-09T16:26:11.000Z. Sources: 59. Developments: 3.

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek has released a six-month performance report detailing significant judicial and law enforcement developments. A primary focus has been the newly established Unsolved Crimes Research Department, which has re-evaluated 638 files and successfully resolved 40 unsolved cases involving 46 victims and 7 injured individuals. Notable breakthroughs include the identification of Dilek Kalkan via DNA analysis 12 years after her disappearance and the arrest of a suspect in the 2020 death of 7-year-old Medine Kesmeni. These investigations have addressed long-standing cases across various provinces, including Bursa, Diyarbakır, and İzmir.

In the realm of organized crime, authorities arrested İslam Yakut, a leader of a criminal organization responsible for managing international drug shipments totaling approximately 2 tons of narcotics. The operation involved coordination between the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), and the General Directorate of Security.

To strengthen the judicial system, the Ministry of Justice has launched a recruitment process for 15,000 new personnel. Additionally, seven specialized departments have been established within the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs to address specific areas such as terrorism, narcotics, economic crimes, and digital security. Law enforcement operations targeting organized and narcotic crimes across 81 provinces resulted in the processing of 56,178 suspects, with 25,376 arrests recorded. Furthermore, the Ministry is working on a potential supplementary indictment regarding the ongoing investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB).

## Claims

- Authorities processed 56,178 suspects in 5,035 operations targeting organized, narcotic, and economic crimes across 81 provinces. (disputed by 6 sources)
- In organized and narcotic crime operations across 81 provinces, 25,376 suspects were arrested. (disputed by 4 sources)
- The newly established Unsolved Crimes Research Department has resolved 40 files involving 46 victims in its first four months. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- Seven new specialized departments were established within the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Investigators are looking into the possibility that Gülistan Doku's body was destroyed using chemical substances. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Ministry of Justice has initiated the process to recruit 15,000 new personnel. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- 638 unsolved crime files were re-evaluated in the first six months of Akın Gürlek's tenure. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The investigation into the 2011 death of former MIT official Kaşif Kozinoğlu is being reopened, including the possibility of murder. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The 'Terror-free Turkey' law requires the liquidation of the organization and the laying down of weapons to take effect. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- International judicial cooperation is underway with German authorities regarding the investigation into Alihan Kuriş. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Crime leader İslam Yakut, responsible for organizing international drug shipments involving 2 tons of narcotics, has been arrested in Istanbul. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Turkey Ministry of Justice announces personnel recruitment and crime breakthroughs

Turkey's Ministry of Justice has launched a recruitment drive for 15,000 personnel and reported resolving 40 unsolved crime files. Major arrests include drug leader İslam Yakut.

46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-justice-minister-akn-grlek-discusses-major-criminal-investigations

### 2026-08-15: Akın Gürlek announces judicial reforms and addresses crime investigations

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced new measures for vulnerable groups and addressed the Alihan Kuriş crime investigation, while earthquake victims' families protest legal delays.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-justice-minister-announces-new-victim-support-measures

### 2026-08-11: Akın Gürlek stresses judicial and administrative cooperation

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek met with district governor candidates, emphasizing the need for coordination between the judiciary and administration to combat organized crime and social issues.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/akn-grlek-stresses-judicial-and-administrative-cooperation

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Cite as: Turkish judicial and administrative cooperation initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-judicial-and-administrative-cooperation-initiatives