Turkey Rejects EU Parliament's Call for Sanctions on Justice Minister

On June 17, 2026, Turkey dismissed a European Parliament report recommending sanctions against its justice minister, Akin Gurlek, for alleged human rights violations. The report suggested freezing assets of Turkish officials, highlighting Gurlek's role in politically motivated prosecutions against opposition members. Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned the report as biased and a distortion of legal processes, asserting the independence of its judiciary. The report also noted the arrest of numerous officials from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), including Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The EU's consideration of sanctions could strain relations, as Turkey is a crucial partner in migration control and NATO. The annual report assesses Turkey's EU accession progress amid concerns over democratic backsliding.

Key Points: • Turkey rejected EU Parliament's report calling for sanctions on its justice minister. • The report accused Akin Gurlek of leading politically motivated prosecutions against opposition figures. • Turkey's government insists on the independence of its judiciary amid ongoing political tensions.