 has launched an investigation into Oktay Tabur, a judge and president of the İzmir Judicial Commission, for displaying an arsenal of weapons in his office at a courthouse in Turkey’s western İzmir province. ){kind=link}
Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced on Wednesday that the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) has launched an investigation into Oktay Tabur, a judge and president of the İzmir Judicial Commission, for displaying an arsenal of weapons in his office at a courthouse in Turkey’s western İzmir province.
In a statement on X, Minister Tunç emphasized that judges and public prosecutors are required to adhere to judicial ethics and avoid inappropriate behavior in all their activities.
In response to the controversy, Tabur has been relieved of his commission duties, Tunç said.
“In light of the images and allegations that have come to the public’s attention, the HSK has initiated an investigation. Furthermore, Tabur’s authority as the president of the Izmir Judicial Commission has been revoked.”
Tabur, who was born in Elazığ in 1971, has held various judicial positions across Turkey. He was the presiding judge in the trial of Pastor Andrew Brunson, which caused a diplomatic row between Turkey and the United States. Tabur was appointed president of the Izmir Judicial Commission in January 2021 by the HSK.
The BirGün daily on Wednesday published a photograph showing Tabur posing in his office at the İzmir Courthouse in front of a display of 13 handguns and seven long guns. The photo included senior HSK officials during a visit on May 2. Tabur confirmed the weapons were his and said they were all licensed.
BirGün reported that Tabur is known for his luxurious lifestyle and often drives a Porsche Taycan to work and maintains a lavish office. He defended his wealth, stating that he is active in the stock market and has declared his assets to the Ministry of Justice.
“All the weapons are licensed and belong to me. The long guns are licensed hunting rifles,” he said.
However, according to military sources who spoke to Turkish Minute, at least two of the rifles are not hunting rifles but most probably assault rifles. Although there is a possibility that they are airsoft replicas, the claim by the judge saying they are all registered and licensed refutes this possibility, since airsoft replicas do not require the owner to register them.
In Turkey, individuals cannot own assault rifles, and possessing an unlicensed firearm without any other criminal activity carries a three-year prison sentence.
“I have nothing to hide. My office has been visited by the president of the Supreme Court of Appeals and inspectors from the Ministry of Justice, all of whom have expressed their admiration,” Tabur told BirGün.
Addressing questions about his Porsche Taycan, Tabur said, “I trade on the stock market. There is no doubt about the source of my money. I have declared my assets to the Ministry of Justice. Everyone is aware of the timing and method of the car purchase.”
The Turkish judiciary has faced numerous allegations of corruption and political influence, particularly following the 2016 failed coup. Recent developments have seen key judicial figures, such as İstanbul’s former chief public prosecutor İsmail Uçar, make corruption allegations that rocked the legal community. Uçar’s unexpected promotion to the Supreme Court of Appeals has been viewed by some as an attempt to silence him.