Minister Tunç: “Let’s wait for the decision of the independent judiciary on the Sinan Ateş murder case.”

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated regarding the Sinan Ateş murder case that will be heard on July 1st, ‘The indictment is publicly available. We should not interpret it in any way. We should not engage in manipulations to draw political conclusions. Let’s wait for the decision of the impartial and independent judiciary.’ Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç answered questions from the press before the AK Party Group Meeting. Tunç stated that the work of the AK Party Group regarding the 9th Judicial Package is ongoing, emphasizing the significant regulations in the package for an effective and speedy judicial system. He said, ‘As the Ministry of Justice, we have worked on the draft. After the evaluations of our members of parliament are completed on that draft, it will turn into a proposal.’ On the discussions about ‘influence agents,’ Minister Tunç stated the following: ‘It is a regulation aimed at punishing those who commit crimes in Turkey against the interests of Turkey in favor of another state or organization, to eliminate the problem arising from the practice. There is no truth to evaluations like ‘researchers in Turkey will be punished.’ For example, if someone violates personal data with the intention of espionage, there is a regulation for them to be punished for both violating personal data and espionage. We believe that no one will object to this regulation. It is being misrepresented to the public. An impression is being created as if ‘someone researching or reporting in Turkey will be punished.’ This impression is incorrect. This is a matter open to evaluation by our members of parliament. Our group is evaluating it. Whether it will be included in the judicial package is entirely at their discretion.’ When reminded that the Sinan Ateş murder case will begin on July 1st, Minister Tunç said, ‘These are matters within the jurisdiction of the judiciary. Our judiciary has completed the investigation and moved on to the prosecution stage. It will be our judges and prosecutors who will evaluate this in the prosecution stage. Together, we will wait for that process. The indictment is publicly available. We should not interpret it in any way. We should not engage in manipulations to draw political conclusions. Let’s wait for the decision of the impartial and independent judiciary.’