Yesterday (September 1) marked the beginning of Turkey’s new judicial year. An opening ceremony attended by journalists also featured Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, a controversial and high-profile figure in Turkey’s judiciary in recent months.

Gürlek, widely seen by critics as close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has ordered the detention of numerous opposition figures in recent months. Additionally, multiple investigations have been opened into main Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel and into imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for allegedly threatening comments made towards Gürlek.

In comments made at Monday’s ceremony, Gürlek described the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at the opposition-controlled Istanbul municipality as “The biggest corruption file in 100 years.”

One comment in particular made by Gürlek Monday raised eyebrows, when the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor said:

“We don’t detain anyone based........

© Medyascope