The Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) has reassigned 4,967 judges and prosecutors, including 4,608 in judicial and 359 in administrative roles, according to data released June 12. The summer decree, the first major personnel overhaul led by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek in his capacity as HSK President, shows significant concentration in major cities governed by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), most notably in Ankara and İzmir.
Ankara Adliyesi’s Administrative Overhaul
The Ankara Courthouse experienced the most extensive personnel shifts in the decree. While 35 prosecutors were transferred out of the 340-member office, 71 new prosecutors were appointed to replace them. The judiciary also saw a net increase in staff, with 48 new judges arriving and 35 departing. Furthermore, seven Heavy Penal Court presidents were reassigned, with three new presidents taking their places. The Ankara West Courthouse, which oversees nine districts including the CHP-run Etimesgut municipality, saw the appointment of one chief prosecutor, six deputy chief prosecutors, and 31 new prosecutors.
The recent decree marks the first comprehensive personnel reshuffle overseen by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek since he assumed the role of HSK President.
The Impact of New Leadership in Ankara
Ankara’s administrative structure underwent a significant transformation, with 14 of the 25 deputy chief prosecutors being removed and 10 new individuals appointed to these roles. A key development is the appointment of Aykut Çelik as the new Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor, replacing Gökhan Karaköse, who was appointed as a member of the Court of Cassation. Çelik previously served as an Istanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor, where he was involved in the indictment process for the case against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the Aziz İhsan Aktaş investigation involving seven CHP mayors. Çelik also previously handled investigations involving CHP leader Özgür Özel and lawmaker Veli Ağbaba, transferring the files to Ankara.
The appointment of prosecutors with backgrounds in high-profile political investigations from Istanbul to the capital suggests a shift in the operational priorities of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Observers and legal analysts are now focused on whether this structural change in the capital’s decision-making hierarchy will lead to the initiation of new investigations similar to those previously seen in Istanbul.
Personnel Shifts in İzmir and Other Provinces
İzmir, where the CHP won 28 of 30 municipalities in the last local elections, saw a total of 77 new prosecutors appointed and 56 new judges assigned. Eight deputy chief prosecutors were removed from their posts in İzmir, and 28 prosecutors were transferred to other provinces. Similar patterns emerged in other CHP-led cities. In Eskişehir, the chief prosecutor and two deputies were removed, while in Adana, 17 prosecutors were replaced by 14 new appointments. Antalya and Mersin also saw significant additions to their prosecutor and deputy chief prosecutor ranks.
What May Happen Next
Legal analysts suggest that the concentration of these personnel changes in cities governed by the CHP could indicate a precursor to new judicial processes. Because these specific urban centers had not previously experienced the volume of Istanbul-centered investigations involving municipal officials, the arrival of new judicial teams may lead to increased scrutiny of local government activities. The authority of the newly appointed Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor to issue summaries of proceedings (fezleke) for members of parliament remains a central point of interest for political and legal observers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many total judicial personnel were affected by the HSK decree?
The decree resulted in the reassignment of 4,967 judges and prosecutors, comprising 4,608 in judicial and 359 in administrative roles.
Which cities saw the most significant changes?
Ankara and İzmir experienced the most prominent shifts, with a combined 207 new prosecutors appointed to the two cities. Other CHP-led provinces including Eskişehir, Antalya, Mersin, and Adana also saw widespread personnel turnover.
Who is leading these judicial changes?
These changes were enacted through a summer decree by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) under the presidency of Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
Given the scale of these reassignments, how do you expect the judicial climate in these major cities to evolve in the coming months?
