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Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek has announced the creation of a new unit to investigate unsolved crimes, a move that comes amid persistent concerns over the credibility and independence of the judiciary under the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Gürlek said the Justice Ministry has established seven new departments, including a “Department for the Investigation of Unsolved Crimes,” as part of what he described as efforts to strengthen the criminal justice system.
In a statement on X Gürlek, a former judge and former chief İstanbul prosecutor known for pursuing cases against opposition figures and government critics, said the initiative aims to strengthen the judiciary’s ability to handle cases, particularly in cases that have attracted significant public attention.
Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın @RTErdogan'ın liderliğinde “Türkiye Yüzyılı’nı Adaletin Yüzyılı kılma” vizyonumuz doğrultusunda, ceza adalet sistemimizin etkinliğini artırmaya devam ediyoruz.
"Gülistan Doku soruşturması" gibi toplum vicdanında derin iz bırakan faili meçhul olayların…
— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) April 23, 2026
He cited the disappearance of university student Gülistan Doku, unsolved since 2020, as an example of cases that have “left deep marks on the public conscience.”
The case saw little progress for years before prosecutors recently reopened the investigation, detaining 15 suspects, 10 of whom were jailed pending trial, on charges including murder, destruction of evidence, deletion of digital data and abuse of office. Among those jailed are a former governor and his son.
The new organizational structure also includes departments focusing on organized crime, terrorism, financial crimes, digital security and disinformation, reflecting what the minister described as a push toward greater specialization within the justice system.
Gürlek said the reforms are intended to create a faster and more effective system, adding that judicial authorities would continue working toward what he called the “Century of Justice.”
However, the announcement is likely to be met with skepticism in a country where trust in the judiciary has eroded significantly in recent years.
According to a March survey by the GÜNDEMAR research company, only 36 percent of respondents said they trust the judiciary.
The survey, conducted on 2,200 people across 60 provinces, found widespread distrust in institutions meant to ensure democratic oversight and uphold the law.
International indicators point to similar concerns. Turkey was ranked 118th out of 143 countries in the 2025 Rule of Law Index published by the World Justice Project, placing it near the bottom globally and among the lowest in its region and income group.
The country has seen a sharp decline in the rule of law over the past decade, falling from 80th place in 2015 by nearly 40 positions. The was drop accelerated after a failed coup in July 2016, which was followed by mass purges in state institutions including the judiciary and sweeping restrictions, pushing Turkey down 19 places in a single year.
Critics have long claimed that politically sensitive cases are not handled impartially and that judicial action is often shaped by public pressure or political motivations.